Canyon del Oro High School head football coach Dustin Peace stepped down from his post on Tuesday after 15 years at the helm.
Peace’s career as head coach of the Dorados was bookended with state championships, including a Class 4A state title in the fall to cap a perfect 14-0 season. Peace posted a 118-52 record and won two state championships as head coach of the Dorados between 2009-23.
Peace said on Tuesday he’s not officially retiring from coaching, and his decision to move away from the game is a “see-you-soon departure.”
Canyon del Oro's head coach Dustin Peace gets mobbed by his Dorados as he holds up the championship trophy they just won against Yuma Catholic for the 4A State Football Championship, Tempe, Ariz., December 1, 2023.
“I have been so honored to lead this program for the last 15 years,” Peace said in a statement posted on CDO’s social media accounts. “I have been gifted with so many amazing relationships and opportunities that I am grateful for. ... Moving forward, my number-one priority is to be the best dad, husband and friend I can be. I owe it to these people as they, too, have sacrificed along the way. I am hoping that I can still have a role at CDO High School and with the football program supporting the next head coach if that is in the cards. I also look forward to helping our community grow this sport in other ways. I will coach football again one day and I hope it is at CDO.”
Peace succeeded mentor Pat Nugent, who took over Pima College’s football program in 2009, and went undefeated (14-0) to win the 4A Division I state championship.
Over his 15-year coaching career, Peace coached star players such as running back and former Arizona Wildcat Ka’Deem Carey, NFL linebacker Blake Martinez, former UA safety Jared Tevis, running back Stevie Rocker, future New Mexico offensive lineman Sa’Kylee Woodard and two-way standout Kayden Luke, who was named the Bijan Robinson High School Football Player of the Year by the Arizona Bowl; Peace accepted the award on Luke’s behalf at the bowl game. Luke led the state in rushing yards (2,307) and helped CDO to a perfect 14-0 record and a state championship in 2023.
CDO went a combined 28-0 in the two seasons it won a state title under Peace, who will go down as one of the winningest high school football coaches in Southern Arizona.
VIDEO: Canyon del Oro coach Dustin Peace says RB-LB Kayden Luke is unlike any other football player in Tucson (video by Michael Lev / Arizona Daily Star)
