The Republic's top coaches are heading into the next HS football season

3. Rich Edwards, American Leadership Queen Creek

As much as the ALA QC parents hate to see Detmer go, Edwards is a proven winner on the field. He started the ALA QC program in 2012 and last coached there in 2019 when the Patriots went 14-0 and won the EA state championship. The same assistants are still at the two ALA programs, including offensive coordinator Max Hall, who remains at ALA QC. So expect the Patriots to continue playing for the Open.

4. Jeremy Hathcock, Buckeye Verrado

He had wanted to return to the valley for a few years after leading his alma mater in the White Mountains near Blue Ridge. He did a great job last season turning the Yellow Jackets around and making a breakthrough in the 3A playoffs. It looks like a gold mine waiting to be tapped by Hathcock with new homes, young families and hungry athletes. He could build something like he did at Mesa Desert Ridge for over 13 years.

5. Carlo Hernandez, Coolidge

This is a reunion for Hernandez, who led the Bears during their last major football era, leading the Bears to six 3A finals during his time there, including back-to-back state championships in 2005 and 2006. Can he start another small school dynasty there ? He left Show Low to return to where he had his greatest success as a high school coach.

6. Travis Dixon, Chandler Hamilton

Dixon led Hamilton to back-to-back state titles as quarterback. Now that he has left Mesa Eastmark, where he impressed in his first year as head coach, Dixon plans to lead Hamilton to its first state championship since 2012. “It’s Hamilton, it’s everything,” Dixon said after his hiring. Dixon led Eastmark to a 9-3 record in the 4A championship, a year after Scooter Molander led a group of seniors to the 3A championship.

7. Mike Zdebski, Surprise Shadow Ridge

This was something of a surprise, but a home run effort by the West Valley school after Zdebski left Hamilton, where he was returning to prominence following the hazing scandal. Zdebski knows how to win. He did it during his career as a Hall of Fame high school coach at Michigan. He will challenge Shadow Ridge in a short time.

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8. Eric Hjalmarson, Blue Ridge

Coming from Willcox, this is a big get for Blue Ridge, where as a player he led the Yellow Jackets to state championships in 1994, 1995 and 1996 as a free safety. He knows what makes Blue Ridge players great and he will expect nothing less than excellence from the start.

9. Anthony Johns, Phoenix North Canyon

He is young, passionate and will own the room. This could be just the guy to give the Rattlers stability after a revolving door of coaches come through. There are athletes in this area, and Johns, who built 2A Heritage Academy Laveen to success just around the corner from Cesar Chavez, will quickly find out. Under his watch there will be a rapid, sudden culture change.

10. Andy Litten, Mesa Mountain View

He could be number 1 on this list. He's definitely one of those coaches as the Toros move on from one of their biggest football alums, Joe Germaine, who started the ALA Mesa program. The Toros program did not go unnoticed. Litten had great success at Marana when Trenton Bourguet was his quarterback. He had great success at Scottsdale Horizon, leading the Huskies to a 5A state title in his first year in 2021. Mountain View is hungry for a title. Litten, who knows how to stimulate the offense, will soon bring the Toros into play.

To suggest ideas for human interest stories and other news stories, reach Obert at [email protected] or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert