Bernalillo Public Schools names John Cobos athletic director

Bernalillo Public Schools announced Jan. 12 that longtime Spartans coach and former middle-school athletic coordinator John Cobos will serve as the district’s athletic director effective immediately. The appointment shifts a locally familiar leader into a position that will shape athletics policy, spending priorities, and student participation across the district.

Cobos brings 18 years with Bernalillo Public Schools and 21 years of coaching experience overall. He has been the Spartans’ head football coach for 11 seasons, leading the program to consistent success including nine straight trips to the state tournament through 2025. District officials said Cobos will finish out the 2025–26 school year in his current duties before beginning his first full academic year as athletic director this fall.

The district identified increasing student engagement in sports and improving facilities and equipment as Cobos’ top priorities. Those goals point directly to budgetary and operational decisions the district will face: allocating funds for maintenance and capital projects, prioritizing equipment replacement cycles, and coordinating with booster organizations and community partners to sustain after-school programs. For families and local businesses, stronger school athletics can mean higher youth participation rates, expanded volunteer and fundraising opportunities, and more game-day activity that supports restaurants and retailers in Bernalillo County.

From a policy and planning perspective, Cobos’ promotion consolidates coaching and program experience into district-level oversight at a time when extracurricular programs are increasingly recognized for their role in student retention and social outcomes. His long tenure in Bernalillo Public Schools and track record with the Spartans give him institutional knowledge that may speed implementation of targeted investments in fields, gyms, transportation, and equipment inventories. The district will need to balance those investments against other budget demands and state funding constraints in the coming budget cycles.

Community stakeholders can expect the athletic director’s office to be central in scheduling, safety protocols, and compliance with state athletic regulations, as well as in outreach to middle schools to build pipelines into high school teams. Superintendent Matthew Montaño and Cobos both offered statements praising the selection, emphasizing continuity and growth for Spartans athletics.

For Sandoval County residents, Cobos’ move signals a local emphasis on strengthening youth sports infrastructure and participation. Watch for district announcements this spring outlining specific facility improvement plans, budget impacts, and opportunities for families and businesses to get involved as the new athletic director transitions into his full-time role this fall.