Photos: Tucson's Top 25 high school football coaches
- Updated
Here are the Star's choices for Tucson's best high school football coaches.
Amphi High School head coach Vern Friedli, center, gets looked at by a UA staff member as UA head football coach Mike Stoops, left, and others look on after UA's Brandon Lopez bowled him over on the sideline during UA's first scrimmage of the spring at Arizona Stadium, April 1, 2006 in Tucson, Ariz.
- James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Sunnyside High School coach Richard Sanchez, right, gets a hug from his assistant coach Saturnino Santa Cruz on the sidelines after the Blue Devils defeated the Phoenix Greenway Demons in the 4A Football State Championship game in Tempe, Ariz., on Dec. 8, 2001.
- A.E. Araiza / Arizona Daily Star
Former head coach Ollie Mayfield, left, and head coach for Palo Verde Todd Mayfield share a laugh after the win at Arizona Stadium in the 4A-II State Title Game on Dec. 2, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz. Palo Verde High School beat Mingus High School 15-7.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Ollie Mayfield, left, Tucson High head football coach from 1970 to 1977, has returned to the sidelines on Oct. 14, 1983 as an assistant to his son, Todd, who has guided the Badgers to a first-place standing in their league.
- Xavier Gallegos / Tucson Citizen
Santa Rita head coach Jeff Scurran tells his team to smile, despite losing at the time 7-0 with under seven minutes left in the 4A II State Championship game against Cactus Cobras on Dec. 5, 2009. Santa Rita lost 14-0. It was Scurran's last game as head football coach at Santa Rita.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Santa Rita head coach Jeff Scurran hugs his grandson, seven year-old Julian Robinson, after his team lost to Cactus Cobras in the 4A II State Championship game 14-0 on Dec. 5, 2009. It was Scurran's last game as head football coach at Santa Rita.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Santa Rita head coach Jeff Scurran kisses his grandson, seven year-old Julian Robinson, after his team lost to Cactus Cobras in the 4A II State Championship game 14-0 on Dec. 5, 2009. It was Scurran's last game as head football coach at Santa Rita.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Catalina Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran reacts to a CDO fumble that was nearly recovered by the Falcons during the fourth quarter of the Canyon del Oro vs. Catalina Foothills high school football game Oct. 4, 2013, at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Ariz. CDO won 19-12.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Sabino High School head football coach Jeff Scurran holds up the 4A High School Football Championship trophy above his head with the help of his team on Dec. 11, 1998 after they defeated Agua Fria High School at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Ariz.
- Michelle Conway / East Valley Tribune
At age 95 on Sept. 2, 1999, Rollin Gridley was the oldest living UA football player, and his memories of his days at the UA are still vivid. After his playing days, Gridley went on to become a legendary coach at Tucson High School. A football signed by numerous players is a memento given to him at a banquet in Phoenix nearly a decade ago.
- Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene is treated to an ice water bath as the seconds tick down during the second half of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene pumps his fists in the air in front of the Lancer fans as the seconds tick down during the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene, left, kisses daughter Mia, 8, as the seconds tick down during the fourth quarter of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene hugs his family as the seconds tick down during the fourth quarter of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
From left, Bob Hart, Ben Rincon and Larry Hart pose for a photo at the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 28, 2007. All three played football in the late 1940's against each other at different high schools. Ben played for Tucson while Bob and Larry played for Amphitheater. They were each inducted into the hall of fame at different times.
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Cienega High School quarterback Michael Archie, center, talks with head coach Nemer Hassey, right, in the game against Sabino High School in the fourth quarter with Jalen Rogers, left, on Aug. 26, 2011 in Tucson, Ariz. Cienega won 17-16.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Head coach of Palo Verde Todd Mayfield screams after being doused with water after beating Mingus High School at Arizona Stadium in the 4A-II State Title Game on Dec. 2, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz. Palo Verde High School beat Mingus High School 15-7.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Palo Verde High School head coach Todd Mayfield addresses the fans while holding the Championship trophy at Arizona Stadium in the 4A-II State Title Game on Dec. 2, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz. Palo Verde High School beat Mingus High School 15-7.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Former head coach Ollie Mayfield and head coach for Palo Verde Todd Mayfield share a laugh after the win at Arizona Stadium in the 4A-II State Title Game on Dec. 2, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz. Palo Verde High School beat Mingus High School 15-7.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Palo Verde head coach Todd Mayfield reacts with his players on the sidelines as the final seconds tick off the clock in the Titans 4A semi final victory over Arcadia at Marcos de Niza high school in Tempe on Nov. 25, 2005. (Ralph Freso / East Valley Tribune)
- Ralph Freso
Ironwood Ridge head coach Matt Johnson talks with his players during a timeout against Centennial in the second quarter of the Division II state championship football game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 24, 2012.
- Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
Ironwood Ridge head coach Matt Johnson holds the Division II State Championship trophy as he celebrates with his players following their 27-3 victory over Centennial at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 24, 2012.
- Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
Ironwood Ridge head coach Matt Johnson points to his players and the fans as he holds up the Division II State Championship trophy following their 27-3 victory over Centennial at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 24, 2012.
- Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
Ironwood Ridge's head coach Matt Johnsonand his players are truly number 1 following the Nighthawks 27-3 victory over Centennial in the Division II State Championship game at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe on Nov. 24, 2012.
- Ralph Freso / for the Arizona Daily Star
Sabino Head coach Jay Campos (C.Q. JAY CAMPOS) comforts dejected player Jakob Stallings with the State Runner Up trophy in the foreground at Arizona Stadium in the 4A-II State Title Game on Dec. 2, 2005 in Tucson, Ariz.
- Dean Knuth / Arizona Daily Star
Sabino High School football coach Jay Campos calls a halt to practice at Pima Community College's east campus facility and has his players remove their helmets and stand at attention as they hear the Star Spangled Banner being played just before sundown at nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2006.
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
No Title Star News-----Whizzer White (l) and Ed Doherty. Undated Star file photo by Art Clark. DOHERTY WAS ASU COACH AT THIS TIME Copyright 1996 The Arizona Daily Star UA:Football; Identity:Former Football Coach; PLS:Obit; Mainkey:Sports/Football; Freekey:age 81; Book:A; People: Whizzer White (l), Ed Doherty Doherty passed away on Sunday 1/2/2000 HP-028
- Art Clark
Canyon Del Oro's head coach Pat Nugent congratulates his team for a great game and season despite their 23-21 loss to Scottsdale Saguaro at the Class 4A-1 state championship game at the University of Phoenix Stadium, Dec. 8, 2007.
- Jill Torrance / Arizona Daily Star
Coach Don Hawkins poses outside the old Marana High School with the gymnasium in the background. The Tigers won 21 of 22 games between 1967 and 1968, with only a 13-13 tie against Hayden spoiling the perfect mark. Courtesy Mark Hawkins.
- Photo courtesy of Mark Hawkins
Amphitheater coach Jerry Loper and players Art Gutierrez (44) and Mark Eaton (40) hold high the trophy the Panthers received after their 23-22 come-from behind victory over Maryvale in the Class AAA state championship game at Arizona Stadium. December 5, 1975.
- Jack Schaeffer / Arizona Daily Star archive
Ironwood Ridge's head coach Gary Minor laughs at a foiled attempt in getting him wet with a Gatorade cooler full of ice water, as it was too heavy for the players, but managed to splash him a little. Ironwood defeated Mountain View 30-0 to win the 5A Southern Region II championship on Nov. 2, 2007 and earn an automatic berth to the state playoffs.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Amphi High School head coach Vern Friedli, center, gets looked at by a UA staff member as UA head football coach Mike Stoops, left, and others look on after UA's Brandon Lopez bowled him over on the sideline during UA's first scrimmage of the spring at Arizona Stadium, April 1, 2006 in Tucson, Ariz.
- James S. Wood / Arizona Daily Star
Santa Rita head coach Jeff Scurran tells his team to smile, despite losing at the time 7-0 with under seven minutes left in the 4A II State Championship game against Cactus Cobras on Dec. 5, 2009. Santa Rita lost 14-0. It was Scurran's last game as head football coach at Santa Rita.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
Catalina Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran reacts to a CDO fumble that was nearly recovered by the Falcons during the fourth quarter of the Canyon del Oro vs. Catalina Foothills high school football game Oct. 4, 2013, at Catalina Foothills High School in Tucson, Ariz. CDO won 19-12.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
At age 95 on Sept. 2, 1999, Rollin Gridley was the oldest living UA football player, and his memories of his days at the UA are still vivid. After his playing days, Gridley went on to become a legendary coach at Tucson High School. A football signed by numerous players is a memento given to him at a banquet in Phoenix nearly a decade ago.
- Jeffry Scott / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene is treated to an ice water bath as the seconds tick down during the second half of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene pumps his fists in the air in front of the Lancer fans as the seconds tick down during the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene, left, kisses daughter Mia, 8, as the seconds tick down during the fourth quarter of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
Salpointe head coach Dennis Bene hugs his family as the seconds tick down during the fourth quarter of the Division II state championship high school football game between Scottsdale Chaparral and Salpointe Catholic on Nov. 29, 2013, at Arizona Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. Salpointe won the state title with a 46-20 victory over the Firebirds.
- Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star
From left, Bob Hart, Ben Rincon and Larry Hart pose for a photo at the Pima County Sports Hall of Fame on Sept. 28, 2007. All three played football in the late 1940's against each other at different high schools. Ben played for Tucson while Bob and Larry played for Amphitheater. They were each inducted into the hall of fame at different times.
- Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
Sabino High School football coach Jay Campos calls a halt to practice at Pima Community College's east campus facility and has his players remove their helmets and stand at attention as they hear the Star Spangled Banner being played just before sundown at nearby Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, Ariz., Nov. 28, 2006.
- Kelly Presnell / Arizona Daily Star
No Title Star News-----Whizzer White (l) and Ed Doherty. Undated Star file photo by Art Clark. DOHERTY WAS ASU COACH AT THIS TIME Copyright 1996 The Arizona Daily Star UA:Football; Identity:Former Football Coach; PLS:Obit; Mainkey:Sports/Football; Freekey:age 81; Book:A; People: Whizzer White (l), Ed Doherty Doherty passed away on Sunday 1/2/2000 HP-028
- Art Clark
Amphitheater coach Jerry Loper and players Art Gutierrez (44) and Mark Eaton (40) hold high the trophy the Panthers received after their 23-22 come-from behind victory over Maryvale in the Class AAA state championship game at Arizona Stadium. December 5, 1975.
- Jack Schaeffer / Arizona Daily Star archive
Ironwood Ridge's head coach Gary Minor laughs at a foiled attempt in getting him wet with a Gatorade cooler full of ice water, as it was too heavy for the players, but managed to splash him a little. Ironwood defeated Mountain View 30-0 to win the 5A Southern Region II championship on Nov. 2, 2007 and earn an automatic berth to the state playoffs.
- David Sanders / Arizona Daily Star
As featured on
Today begins the countdown to the high school football season.
Pre-Friedli, Panthers won it all in 1975.
Welchert helped Salpointe reach the state finals in 1991.
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