From 2003-14, Nemer Hassey (Cienega) and Jay Campos (Sabino) were rival head coaches at powerhouse high school football programs in Southern Arizona.ย
Together, they carved out impressive coaching resumes for over a decade, including five state championship appearances and numerous regional titles. Now, the former coaching foes will team up at Mica Mountain, a school in the Vail School District that is set to open its doors in July.ย
Hassey, who retired from football after the 2014 season to focus on principal duties at Cienega, will have the same position at Mica Mountain. Campos stepped down as Sabino's head coach following the 2016 season and has since served as the school's athletic director. He'll be Mica Mountain's assistant principal. Cienega athletic director Whitney Holland will take over as Mica Mountain's athletic director.ย
Hassey and Campos combined for a 274-85 record, but will tackle a new task to develop the high school located east of Houghton and Valencia Road.ย
Mica Mountain is to begin its 500-student enrollment this fall and build in the following years. The school is expected to have an enrollment of 2,000 after three years.
Mica Mountain has yet to hire a football coach. It will field junior varsity and freshman teams before expanding to varsity, possibly as soon as 2021. Mica Mountain will be known as the Thunderbolts and the school's colors are Carolina blue, silver and black.ย
