Gilbert defensive coordinator Jason Ronquillo will be the next head coach at Scottsdale Saguaro, sources told Arizona Varsity Wednesday night.

Ronquillo replaces Darius Kelly, who Arizona Varsity reported on Nov. 18 wouldn’t return as the head coach of the Sabercats in 2026 after going 3-7 in 2025, marking the first time Saguaro finished with back-to-back losing seasons since 1992 and 1993.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to be the new head coach at Saguaro,” Ronquillo said in a direct message to Arizona Varsity. “The tradition of excellence and passionate community make it an honor to lead the program. I can’t wait to work with the players and families to build something special together.”

Ronquillo is enthusiastic about leading Saguaro back to national prominence.

“Leading saguaro back to national prominence begins with a relentless commitment to character, academics, preparation, and performance,” Ronquillo said. “Building relationships, a disciplined and accountable culture, uniting a shared vision, and investing fully into our philosophy will create a program built to last and represent the school and community with pride.”

Ronquillo is the third new head coach hired at Saguaro since Jason Mohns departed after the 2022 season to join Kenny Dillingham’s staff at Arizona State.

Ronquillo will lead one of Arizona’s most nationally recognized football programs following a one-year stint at Gilbert and 12 years as the head coach at Yelm (Wash.), where he compiled a 50-5 record from 2020 to 2024, winning a 3A state championship in 2022, before resigning in 2025.

Per John Manley, sources told The News Tribune in Washington that Ronquillo resigned as the head coach at Yelm in 2025 following an “off-the-field, personal issue.”

During his time at Yelm, Ronquillo helped develop several players who went on to play Division I football.

Saguaro graduates 23 seniors from its 2025 team, including its two starting quarterbacks, Marcel Jones and Ashton Pannell. 

However, several key players return, including junior wide receiver Oliver Gibson, the Sabercats’ leading receiver last season, who recorded 461 yards and four touchdowns, and junior running back Ty Strozier, who had the second-most rushing yards on the team with 445 yards and four touchdowns.

Saguaro’s last playoff appearance was in 2023, when the Sabercats, led by now Boise State co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Zak Hill, won the 6A state championship as the No. 3 seed over No. 12 Red Mountain 40-20.