Central Valley High School graduate Estevan Barragan realized his dream of playing college football at the NCAA Division-I level thanks to his unmatched work ethic.

The former Fresno State player returned to CVHS this fall to serve as a running backs/conditioning coach.

“Coach (Derrick) Goblirsch reached out to me and asked if I wanted to help out this year,” said Barragan, 25. “When I looked at my schedule and everything I had planned, it fit in. It’s cool being back and seeing the potential this school has in football. It’s been fun getting to know all of the athletes. I help out at all levels when I can. I try to apply everything I learned from coaches and the knowledge I gained through experience.”

Goblirsch coached Barragan for two seasons at Central Valley. 

“Adding as many alumni to our coaching staff is important,” Goblirsch stated. “To have him (Barragan) come back is great for our program. The kids really appreciate him being out there. They respect him. The knowledge he brings is from experience. The fact he played Division-I football was impressive. Work-ethic wise, I’ve never seen anything like his. He would never stop. I don’t think he came off the field.”

Barragan was hired to help Central Valley players maximize their potential on the gridiron.

“I’m trying to make sure each athlete has a positive experience,” he said. “Guys are starting to buy in, push each other and hold each other accountable. Once they fully buy in, this team can do really big things. I still want to see the program have success.”

Barragan implemented his conditioning program during the summertime.

Hawk players cycled through drills designed to improve their stamina, endurance, speed and agility.

“They (Goblirsch and strength coach Brent Bussard) gave me the freedom to do what I feel is best for the team,” Barragan said. “The conditioning has to be hard. We’re trying to build a physical, explosive team that has speed.”

“Conditioning is not fun,” he added. “You have to have the right mindset. You have to hold yourself and teammates accountable. When you’re uncomfortable in a conditioning drill or run, you’re going to grow into a better athlete. You’ll gain confidence.”

Consistency and persistent effort can produce positive results.

“You can’t have one great practice throughout the week,” he said. “You have to have four. You’re stacking reps. If you’re 100 percent committed, that’s going to transfer over to the games.”

Barragan takes a great deal of pride in being a coach at his alma mater. He has all of his players’ backs.

“I’m not just their coach,” Barragan said. “They trust me. If they need anything, I’m a text message away.”

Barragan earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology with a concentration in exercise science from Fresno State in the spring of 2023.

He works full-time as a certified personal trainer at Get Better Fitness, which is located at 2140 Pine Street in Ceres.

Barragan specializes in personal training for athletic performance, muscle development, aesthetics and weight loss.

He also provides nutritional guidance.

Barragan offers individual and group training.

“There are a lot of great things I have planned for Ceres,” he said. “I love this community. I love the people I got to get coached by since Pop Warner up until I was in high school. I’m going to do as much as I can to give back.”

Barragan made history in 2019 when he became the first student-athlete from Central Valley High School to make a NCAA Division-I football roster. He earned a spot on the Fresno State team as a walk-on player in 2019.

He suited up at running back on the scout team during practices. He helped prepare the Bulldogs’ first-team defense for games.

Barragan dressed for all of the Bulldogs’ home contests.

He treated every practice and game like it was his last.

“Not everybody can go Division-I,” he said. “It takes a lot of dedication. You’re going to have to sacrifice a lot of things.”

Barragan accomplished another first by becoming the first person from his family to graduate from college.

“It was definitely a lot of work,” he said. “It was all worth it.”

Barragan was a standout on Central Valley’s varsity football team for three seasons (2015-17).

He was voted the Western Athletic Conference’s Most Outstanding Offensive Player senior year.

Barragan was a first-team all-league defensive selection at safety his junior and sophomore years. 

He totaled 304 tackles, three interceptions, 13 pass deflections, one sack, two forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 32 career games.

Barragan’s teams at Central Valley also experienced success. The Hawks amassed a 21-11 overall record, won one conference title and qualified for the playoffs twice from 2015-17. 

“The reason I had success is because of how I practiced,” he said. “I didn’t want to let my teammates and myself down. The more work and preparation you put in, the more confidence you build. That’s the standard that needs to be instilled. Guys need to be okay with guys pushing themselves hard at practice.”