The end of another Arizona high school football season is near, which means the coaching carousel is about to start back up.
This article will be continuously updated as more coaching moves are announced throughout the offseason. Here’s a look at some of the notable coaching changes that have been made so far.
A complete list of openings is at the bottom of the page.
LAST UPDATED: 1/29/25
Travis Schureman Resigns at Queen Creek
In one of the surprising head-coaching moves this cycle, Travis Schureman announced his resignation as head coach at Queen Creek in a post on X on Jan. 23.
Schureman had been with Queen Creek since 2010, serving as the offensive line coach, before taking over as head coach a few years later.
“This program has been far more than a job to me – it has been a calling, a home, and one of the greatest honors of my life,” Schureman wrote in his post on X. “I have been blessed to coach incredible young men, work alongside a devoted staff, and represent a community that truly cares about its school and its students.”
Jeremy Hathcock Leaving Mesa for Perry
After one season at Mesa, leading the school to the 6A quarterfinals, Mesa head coach Jeremy Hathcock is leaving the Jackrabbits to be the next head coach at Perry, sources confirmed to Arizona Varsity on Jan 21.
This will be Hathcock’s fourth school in the last four seasons, previously coaching at Blue Ridge for three seasons, a stint at Verrado in 2024, where he led the team to a 5A semifinal appearance, and, most recently, Mesa in 2025.
In a press release issued on Jan. 22, Perry confirmed reports that Hathcock would be the school’s next head coach, pending board approval.
“Perry High School is one of the best jobs in Arizona,” Hathcock stated in the press release. “With the great administrative support in place, we can build this program into a state powerhouse. It is my goal to build toughness and character by helping players become the best versions of themselves in the classroom and on the field.”
Tony Cotton Takesover at Sunnyslope
Sources informed Arizona Varisty on Jan. 21 that former Sunnyslope head coach Sam Jacobs informed players and families the Vikings had hired Brophy offensive coordinator Tony Cotton as the school’s next head coach.
Cotton has been the offensive coordinator at Brophy for the last three and a half seasons, taking over at the beginning of October in 2022.
“Fired up for Tony,” Brophy head coach Jason Jewell said in a comment on a post on X. “Will miss him, we coached with each other for 9 years. Grateful for our friendship and all he did at Brophy!”
Scooter Molander Returns to Eastmark
After reportedly forcing Jason Lyons to step down as head coach, Eastmark is turning to a familiar face in Scooter Molander to lead its program once again. Sports360AZ’s Cody Cameron was the first to report.
Molander, who was named head coach at Eastmark when the school opened in 2018, helped lead the Firebirds to a 3A state championship in 2022 before leaving to be the head coach at Desert Vista in 2023.
Molander spent the last two seasons as the offensive coordinator at Queen Creek.
Mohave Hires Steven Beard as Head Coach
Mohave announced the hiring of Steven Beard as its next head coach and athletic director on Jan 19.
Beard joins Mohave after going 8-3 with Desert Sunrise in 2025 and being named 4A Southwest Region Coach of the Year.
Before coaching high school football, Beard was a graduate assistant on Herm Edwards’ staff at Arizona State.
Derek Zellner Steps Down After One Season at ACP
Arizona Varsity’s Brett Quintyne was the first to report on Jan. 9 that first-year head coach Derek Zellner would be stepping down as the head coach at Arizona College Prep.
Zellner leaves ACP following a very successful first season in 5A, where the Knights finished 9-3 and ultimately fell short to No. 2 American Leadership Academy-Gilbert North in the quarterfinals, to focus on his health.
Karl Thompson Steps Down as Lake Havasu Head Coach After 17 Seasons
On Jan. 5, Lake Havasu announced that head coach Karl Thompson had stepped down after 17 seasons with the school.
Thompson amassed a school record 104 wins from 2009 to 2025.
Former NAIA Head Coach Jeff Bowen Named Willow Canyon Head Coach
After 12 years at Arizona Christian, Jeff Bowen will be the new head coach at Willow Canyon, the school announced on Dec. 23.
Bowen had a 59-44 record during his 10 years as head coach at ACU before resigning on Dec. 3.
Joe Thomas Resigns at Buena, Expected to be Named Head Coach at Casa Grande
After resigning as the head coach following an 11-year run at Buena, Joe Thomas is expected to be named the next head coach at Casa Grande, sources told Arizona Varsity on Dec. 19.
Thomas takes over for Mark Luna, who stepped down as the head coach at Casa Grande just six games into the 2025 season.
Thomas went a combined 54-54 during his time at Buena.
Jason Lyons Forced to Resign at Eastmark
Desert Ridge Expected to Name Former NFL Assistant Miles Smith Head Coach
Sources told Arizona Varsity on Dec. 15 that Miles Smith is expected to be the next head coach at Desert Ridge.
Smith’s most recent coaching role was with the Houston Texans in 2022, where he was the linebackers coach. His father, Lovie Smith, served as the head coach.
Smith would be the first player to graduate from Lake Forrest College, a Division-III school in Illinois that recruits heavily in Arizona, to be named head coach of an Arizona high school program.
Yuma Catholic Names Longtime Assistant Marty Schaetzle Head Coach
The Yuma Sun reported on Dec. 11 that Yuma Catholic hired Marty Schaetzle as its next head coach following the surprising resignation of Vernon Smith.
Schaetzle was the head coach at Mercyhurst for 19 seasons before moving to Yuma three years ago. Schaetzle has helped develop the offensive and defensive lines at Yuma Catholic.
Seton Catholic Names Matthew Hanshaw Head Coach
Arizona Varsity’s Brett Quintyne reported on Dec. 9 that Seton Catholic hired Matt Hanshaw to be its next head coach.
Hanshaw joins the Sentinels after serving as the offensive coordinator at Pinnacle for the last five seasons.
Hanshaw joined the C-Town Rivals Podcast to talk about his new opportunity.
Joseph Ortiz Won’t Return to Perry in 2026
On Dec. 5, Perry announced via X that head coach Joseph Ortiz had resigned.
“The Perry High School community and the CUSD administration extend their deepest gratitude to Coach Ortiz for his dedicated service,” the press release stated. “Since joining Perry High School in 2022 as the program’s second head football coach, Coach Ortiz has brought a renewed energy and commitment to excellence.”
Ortiz accumulated a 24-23 record in his four seasons leading Perry.
Sunnyslope’s Sam Jacobs Retires
Sunnyslope head coach Sam Jacobs announced on X on Nov. 24 that he has resigned and is retiring after 25 years of coaching.
Yuma Catholic’s Vernon Smith Resigns
After just one season, Vernon Smith has resigned as the head coach at Yuma Catholic, the school announced in a statement Sunday.
The surprising news comes after Smith guided the Shamrocks to a 7-5 season, securing a playoff spot and upsetting Millennium in Yuma Catholic’s first year in the 5A conference.
The Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert posted a quote on X from Yuma Catholic President Rhett Stallworth on Nov. 24, who had the following to say about Yuma Catholic’s process for hiring a new head coach: “We have some great people within our program,” Stallworth said. “We will start there first. If that doesn’t come to fruition then we will open up the job. I would rather hire from within first.”
Jeremy Beamon Out at Desert Ridge
First-year head coach Jeremy Beamon will not be the man in charge at Desert Ridge in 2026. The Jaguars finished the season 0-10, which marked the first winless season in school history.
Jermey Brigham Out at Apache Junction After One Season
An email was sent to Apache Junction families on Nov. 20 stating that first-year head coach Jermey Brigham won’t return in 2026.
Brigham’s only win in 2025 came via an 18-7 defeat over American Leadership Academy-Mesa North on Oct. 17. Apache Junction finished 1-9 for the third consecutive season.
The Prospectors have not had a winning season since 2022.
Maricopa Hires Kacy Day
After serving as the wide receivers coach last season, Maricopa athletic director Matt Smith announced via X on Nov. 20 that Kacy Day has been elevated to head coach.
Day takes over for the Rams following Maricopa’s first winning season since 2017.
Darius Kelly Won’t Return to Saguaro in 2026
After going 4-16 in two seasons, sources told Arizona Varsity on Nov. 18 that Darius Kelly would not be returning as the head coach of the Sabercats in 2026, marking the third time Saguaro has searched for a new head coach within the last five years.
Kelly, who took over for Zak Hill after Hill was hired in an assistant coaching role with the Seattle Seahawks just months after leading Saguaro to a state championship in 2023, was elevated from his position as wide receivers and defensive backs coach in the Spring of 2024.
Saguaro has not made the open division since 2022, the final year of the Jason Mohns era. The conclusion of the 2025 season also marked the first time Saguaro had finished with back-to-back losing seasons since 1992 and 1993.
Sean Windecker Resigns at Kingman Academy
After four years at Kingman Academy, Sean Windecker announced his resignation on X on Nov. 12, citing travel between his home in Las Vegas and the school being “too much.”
Windecker went 12-27 in his four years in command of the Tigers.
Pete Wahlhiem Out at Seton Catholic
Arizona Varsity’s Brett Quintyne announced via X on Nov. 10 that Seton Catholic would not be renewing head coach Pete Wahlheim’s contract following the conclusion of the 2025 season.
Wahlheim had two stints with the Sentinels, one from 2001 to 2006, during which he led Seton Catholic to two 11-win seasons and a state championship appearance in 2003. The other stint was from 2019 to 2025, during which Walheim had a total record of 24-46.
Highland Prep Surprise Fires MyKael Sanford
Highland Prep Surprise fired first-year head coach MyKael Sanford after he was caught using a play-calling app to communicate with the coaching staff while serving a suspension due to behaviors exhibited during contests during the Honey Badgers’ 49-20 loss against Veritas Prep on Sept. 26, per AIA official board meeting notes from Oct. 20.
Sanford had been with the team for three months.
Mark Luna Steps Down at Casa Grande
Penal Central’s David Church reported Luna stepped down as the head coach at Casa Grande on Oct. 8, just six games into the 2025 season. Luna stated in the article that he felt the program “needed a change.”
George Bell was named the interim head coach at Casa Grande.
Luna, a Casa Grande graduate, spent 11 years on the Cougars staff, taking over as the head coach in 2022, following Jake Barro’s departure to Corona del Sol. Luna led the Cougars to back-to-back playoff appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Jay Nunez Removed From Wickenburg
The Arizona Republic’s Richard Obert reported on Sept. 17 that first-year head coach Jay Nunez was removed from Wickenburg for reasons not provided. Carter Crossland, who was born without arms and legs, was named the interim head coach.
All Current Head Coach Openings
- ALA Radiance
- Arizona College Prep
- Blue Ridge
- Buena
- Carl Hayden
- Coconino
- Coronado
- Cortez
- Desert Sunrise
- Flowing Wells
- Glendale
- Kingman Academy
- Lake Havasu
- Mesa
- Paradise Valley
- Queen Creek
- Rincon
- Saguaro
- Santa Rita
- Scottsdale Prep
- St. John’s
- Tonopah Valley
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