Arizona high school football coaching moves: Gavin Lutman leaves Mountain Ridge

After every high school football season, there are always moves. Coaches leaving. Coaches taking new jobs. And, in Arizona, it's constant change from year to year. The Arizona Republic is tracking all of the moves.

Here are updates on the coaching changes:

Lutman leaves Mountain Ridge

April 29, 2024

With spring football practices starting, Gavin Lutman told Glendale Mountain Ridge he will no longer be leading the program due to accepting a college position.

Lutman has not returned messages from The Republic.

"Coach Lutman was offered a full-time coaching position this past weekend with a college program," Mountain Ridge Athletic Director Tony Miller said. "This was a goal of his in life, and we wish him the best in this opportunity. Coach Lutman served our community with a ton of pride and he met with the players and coaches this morning to let them know of this opportunity."

Lutman, who was a wide receiver at Pittsburg State in Kansas, replaced Doug Madoski last year. The Lions went 3-7 last season under Lutman.

Eric Hjalmarson returns home to lead Blue Ridge

Eric Hjalmarson is back where he played high school football, leading Lakeside Blue Ridge's program that was vacated three weeks ago after Jeremy Hathcock left to become head coach at Buckeye Verrado.

Hjalmarson was an assistant coach for six years under the late former Blue Ridge coach Paul Moro, for whom Hjalmarson played free safety on three 3A state championship teams in 1994, '95 and '96 with the Yellow Jackets.

Hjalmarson led Willcox's football program the past four season. The Cowboys reached the playoffs each year, getting to the 2A semifinals in 2022. He won two region titles there. Before that, he was head coach at Safford in 2018 and '19, getting to the state playoffs each year.

"I am excited to be home," Hjalmarson said. "Blue Ridge Football has a tremendous culture that was created by great men including Joe Girardi, Tom Marsing, Paul Moro, Bob London and Jeremy Hathcock.

"I am humbled and proud to be the next head football coach at Blue Ridge High School."

Anthony Johns looks to change North Canyon

Anthony Johns is young, energetic, passionate and always positive.

He might just be the guy who can turned Phoenix North Canyon's fortunes after the Rattlers went 1-9 last season. The program hasn't had a winning season since 2016.

"There have been some very good players come through here," Johns said. "We are going to build a competitive team. We have good players so as long as we can come together and bond as a team we can be competitive in games. We are looking forward to the 2024 season."

Johns replaces Jeremy Dieck, whose two teams went 2-8 and 1-9. Johns comes over from Heritage Academy Laveen, where he took a 2A program to an historic season in 2022, leading the Heroes to eight wins and their first AIA state playoff appearance, after the school had never won more than two games in an AIA season.

He led the Heroes for three seasons with quarterback Kaleb "Bubba" Burras leading the resurgence.

Johns is making the jump to 5A football, hoping to create stability in the program. The last time the Rattlers won more than three games in a season was 2017, when they went 4-6.

The 2016 team went 6-4.

Tyson Ditmore returns to Horizon

Tyson Ditmore, who was the defensive coordinator at Glendale Mountain Ridge last season, is returning to Scottsdale Horizon, this time as head coach.

Ditmore assisted Andy Litten at Horizon in 2021, when the Huskies won the 5A title. It was his first year on campus as a teacher and coach.

He replaced Litten, who left to take the Mesa Mountain View job.

Ditmore was the special teams coordinator and safeties coach at Horizon in 2021 and 2022.

He played high school football at Las Cruces in New Mexico, a part of its 2002 state championship team. He played for four seasons at New Mexico.

"My vision for the next coming year is to give these kids in the program a great experience with a new staff," Ditmore said. "We want to drive competition by creating a fun and exciting environment.

"For next year and beyond, the main goal is to build and develop a culture of players who are great people, students and football players."

Former USC defensive lineman to lead Central

Former USC defensive lineman Chris Barrett, who was part of back-to-back national championship teams in 2003 and '04 with the Trojans, has been hired to become the head football coach at Phoenix Central.

He replaces Chandler Hovik, who left Central after last season to become the head coach of his alma mater at Laveen Cesar Chavez.

Barrett, who played defensive line and was a Super Prep All-American in 2002 out of Tustin, California, was an assistant football coach at Phoenix Pinnacle during the 2020-22 seasons. He took last year off.

"My goal is to make sure these young men know how to win forever, not just now," Barrett said. "Right now my focus is to make sure we build a strong brotherhood at Central and a championship culture.

"I have had a lot of championship experience as a player and coach and I am passing down all the knowledge I've learned over the years from the amazing coaches I've been around."

That would include Pete Carroll, who was the head coach at USC when Barrett played.

"Coach Carroll taught me how to compete, relate to players and win forever," Barrett said.

Barrett said he also was influenced by Ed Orgeron, who was the defensive line coach at USC when Barrett played there.

"Coach Orgeron taught me how to demand and expect excellence from my players," Barrett said.

Barrett added that his Tustin High School coach, Myron Miller, taught him how to be a great positive influence on players.

"I'm all of them wrapped into one," he said.

When he was done with his playing career, Barrett coached professionally in China, as well as at Servite High in Anaheim, California.

Jason Lyons hired as Eastmark coach

Jason Lyons, the chief architect of Gilbert Highland's great defenses that led to a run of three straight 6A championship game appearances and an Open playoff win, has been named the new head football coach at Mesa Eastmark.

Eastmark is still a relatively young school that won the 3A title two seasons ago and transitioned well in its first season in 4A under new coach Travis Dixon. The job opened last month after Dixon left to become Chandler Hamilton's head coach. Dixon was the quarterback on Hamilton's first two state title teams in 2003 and 2004.

Suddenly, Lyons becomes Eastmark's third head coach in three years. But Lyons has a strong reputation as a defensive coordinator and the transition should go seamlessly as that area in far east Mesa continues to grow with young families. Eastmark is part of the Queen Creek school district.

"I am lucky enough to have one of the best mentors and people in the business supporting me in Brock Farrel (Highland's head coach) and I am leaving a culture that understands the process across the board," Lyons said. "We have had such great leadership and direction under Brandon Larson across all athletics (at Highland).

"I have been able to watch multiple programs on campus grow from competitor to contender over the years and felt confident enough at what I have learned to try and carry on the traditions outside of the community and into my own."

Lyons said he likes the administration at Eastmark, having large-school backgrounds coming from rich traditions. Athletic Director Kraig Leuschner came from Scottsdale Saguaro, where he directed that athletics program during part of Saguaro's dynasty football years.

"Coach Lyons stood out as a candidate that has a blue print on how to win on the field, in the classroom and in life," Leuschner said. "When you look at Highland's success, you have to also look at the timeline in which he took over the defense. His network and relationships with leaders like Brock Farrel will be valuable as we continue to grow. The testimonials we received from Highland were extremely impressive."

Lyons said the first step is connecting with the kids, gaining their trust, then establish a culture of "discipline, enjoyment, high character, academic excellence, and, through this process, we can hopefully win some football games."

He added in time he sees Eastmark getting to the national stage among Arizona's elite.

Dustin Johnson steps down at Verrado

Dustin Johnson announced on social media Monday that he has stepped down as head football coach at Buckeye Verrado, after three years leading the program.

He stated in his post that the decision was extremely tough "with a lot of talks with family, friends and most importantly with God."

Johnson told The Republic in a text that the decision was needed "for myself and my family."

"Verrado has had many players, coaches, and parents that are extremely hard to say goodbye to," Johnson said. "There was many things that came into factor about my decision that I would rather not say on a newspaper platform but this was not an easy decision. I will remain their biggest fan!"

Verrado went 7-4 in his first season in 2021, before going 5-6 and 3-7 the past two seasons.

Carlo Hernandez returning to Coolidge

Carlo Hernandez, who stepped down as head coach after last season at Show Low, is coming back to lead Coolidge's football program.

Hernandez led the program for nine years, leading the Bears to a 92-19 record and back-to-back 3A state championships in 2005 and '06. He was The Arizona Republic's Small School Coach of the Year in 2005. He left Coolidge in 2009 to start the Vista Grande's football program in Casa Grande. Hernandez went to Casa Grande High School.

In all, Coolidge reached the 3A final six times under his watch. The Bears were state runners-up three years in a row before breaking through in 2004 for the title.

Hernandez said his appointment was approved by the Coolidge Unified School District's governing board Wednesday night.

"Tough to leave Show Low but Coolidge provided me and my family a great opportunity to keep the strong football tradition going forward," Hernandez said.

Coolidge Athletic Director Clinton White, a 2004 graduate of Coolidge, is ecstatic to have Hernandez back.

"What excites me the most is the mindset he has for discipline, confidence, and accountability as an athlete," White said. "As a 2004 alumnus of Coolidge High School, I had a front row seat to witness what Coach Hernandez’s mentality can bring to a program.

"I witnessed those two championships he brought to Coolidge and the passion he helped that group of young men develop. In conversations with him, I am glad to have him lead our team at CHS and I’m excited to see him develop our team.

"He has the boys' attention already. I witnessed that when he met them for the first time (Thursday). That was exciting for me to see a fire in those boys' eyes simply by sitting in a room with him and hearing his words. I believe exciting things will come from his leadership."

DC Steve Vaught promoted to Arizona College Prep head coach

Chandler Arizona College Prep on Friday afternoon announced that defensive coordinator Steve Vaught has been promoted to head coach, replacing Myron Blueford, who started the program.

Vaught served last season as Blueford's DC, after coming over from Chandler High, where he served the same capacity and was a part of the Wolves' 2019 and 2020 Open Division state championship teams.

The school announced the assignment pending Wednesday's Chandler district governing board's approval.

Vaught, who grew up in Indiana, said his team will be playing at Crown Point, the Indiana 6A runnerup, for a game in late August. Vaught grew up in Indiana and he'll be going against a coach who mentored him.

Vaught was at Chandler for seven years, arriving in 2016, when he was the freshman coach. From 2017-19 he was the varsity safeties coach. And from 2020-22 he was Chandler's defensive coordinator.

He served in that role last season for coach Myron Blueford, who stepped away after leading the Knights to the 4A quarterfinals, before losing to eventual champion Canyon del Oro in four overtimes.

"Vaught and I are close friends and I couldn't ask for a better person taking over at ACP," Blueford said in a text. "He is a good dude and will do a great job."

Vaught, 38, said it wasn't his lifelong dream to pursue a head coaching job. He played at the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana and played for Kevin Donley, one of the all-time winningest college football coach, who helped mold him.

"That was a pretty cool opportunity," said Vaught, who then for five years helped coach for Craig Buzea, who was his high school head coach. Buzea is the head coach at Crown Point and recently was inducted into the Indiana Football Coaches' Association Hall of Fame.

Vaught moved to the Valley in 2014, and started helping coach at Scottsdale Coronado.

"I wasn't in coaching to become a head coach," he said. "I was very happy at being the defensive coordinator at ACP. But I feel like my previous experiences and the opportunity being right there, and already being at the school for a year, and knowing the players, I feel like it was a good opportunity for me."

Lee Williams coach takes Gilbert post

Stevann Brown, who led Kingman Lee Williams to a 9-2 record last season, said he is leaving to become the head football coach at Gilbert High.

"It's a tremendous opportunity," Brown said in a text. "Every challenge in life, big or small, is an opportunity to grow and learn.

"We have a ton of returning talent and a community ready to get back on the big stage. Of course, nothing happens overnight, so it's going to take a ton of dedication and hard work from coaches, players and anyone else involved to get to where we want to be."

Brown replaces Derek Zellner, whose Tigers went 3-7 last season after a 6-5 playoff season in 2022. That was the school's first winning season since it went 7-4 in 2008.

Gilbert plays in the 5A San Tan Region.

Lee Williams lost to Chandler Arizona College Prep 21-14 in the first round of the 4A playoff last season while Brown led the team. Brown was named the 4A Grand Canyon Region Coach of the Year.

State champion Dustin Peace announces resignation

Oro Valley Canyon del Oro football coach Dustin Peace took to social media on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, to announce he has stepped down as head coach.

Peace led CDO to a 14-0 record and the 4A state championship last season. He also led CDO to a state championship in 2009. He led the Dorados for the past 15 seasons.

"Moving forward my number one priority is to be the best dad, husband and friend I can be," Peace wrote on X. "I owe it to these people as they too have sacrificed along the way. I am hoping 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 the community grow this sport in other ways. I will coach football again one day and I hope it is at CDO."

Peace told The Arizona Republic in an email that he doesn't have any immediate plans.

"I don’t have any formal plans really," he said. "I have been on a year by year mindset for the past few years. This was good timing for me and my family."

Schenks takes Copper Canyon job

Rodger Schenks, who resigned as head coach at Coolidge after this past season, has been hired as head coach at Glendale Copper Canyon.

Schenks led Globe to a state title in 2002. He also formerly coached at San Tan Foothills High.

"Just seeing the vision of Principal and Athletic Director at Copper Canyon High School," Schenks said as being the reason he took the job. "Copper Canyon has great facilities, brand new turf field, large weight room and B+ school in academics.

"I’m excited about getting involved in the community and helping build a successful football program that will align with all the other great clubs, activities and athletic teams."

Salpointe hires Pat Ryden; Jeff Scurran leaves Rio Rico

Tucson Salpointe Catholic announced that assistant coach Pat Ryden will replace Eric Rogers as head football coach.

Meanwhile, legendary Southern Arizona coach Jeff Scurran said he has resigned at head coach at Rio Rico to move back to Tucson for personal reasons.

Ryden was an assistant at Salpointe the last four seasons. Rogers was an assistant under Dennis Bene, before he was promoted to head coach in 2020.

Ryden has more than 30 years experience coaching in high school and college.

"Pat brings a ton of coaching and teaching experience with him," Athletic Director Phil Gruensfelder said in a statement released to the media this week. "His leadership skills are second to none.  He is a player's coach who will develop our student-athletes with high expectations and a love for the game.  I know he will elevate our program to compete at the highest level."

Scurran, who led Tucson Sabino to state championships in 1990, '92 and '98, took Tucson Santa Rita and Tucson Catalina Foothills to state finals in his illustrious career. Scurran told The Republic that he isn't calling it a career quite yet and is open to other opportunities that come his way at 76.

Scurran led Rio Rico the past two years, leading the team to a 4-6 record in his first year after it had gone 0-8. This past season was his 50th year as a coach.

Dieck steps down after 2 years at North Canyon

Phoenix North Canyon football coach Jeremy Dieck resigns after leading the Rattlers for two years, Athletic Director Comfort Beene said in an email.

"We appreciate his hard work these past two seasons," Beene said.

North Canyon 1-9 this year after going 2-8 in 2022.

Carlo Hernandez steps down at Show Low

Carlo Hernandez, who led Show Low to a turnaround in 2021 when the Cougars put together eight- and 11-win seasons, has resigned from his post as head football coach.

The team went 3-7 this year after losing one of the most talented 3A players in the state, two-way star Nash Brewer, to a season-ending injury early in the year.

In 2005, Hernandez took Coolidge to the 3A state title. That job is now open after Rodger Schenks stepped down after the season.

"I absolutely love the community, players and principal at Show Low," Hernandez said. "I just felt I had to step down for personal reasons. Looking forward to what happens next for me and my family."

Shadow Mountain's Fagan steps down

Ron Fagan said he has resigned as head football coach at Phoenix Shadow Mountain, where he led the Matadors to a 4-6 season in 2A, a year after the Matadors went 5-5 in 3A. They went 0-10 under Fagan in 4A three seasons ago.

"It was just time, I guess," Fagan said about stepping down. "It didn't end the way I wanted but I know the football program produced a lot of great young men that are ready to go into the world and hold the line when they need to and get up when they get knocked down."

ACP's Myron Blueford steps down, reevaluating life

After leading Chandler Arizona College Prep to its best season, Myron Blueford is stepping down, he said, to "reevaluate" his life.

"I need to reconnect with my faith and family," Blueford said in a text message. "And I couldn't do that with the demands of being a head coach."

Blueford started the football program at ACP, part of the Chandler Unified School District, in 2017 and gradually built the program without a stadium until two years ago when a new campus was built.

His first team in 2017 went 2-8 at the 2A level. The team went 1-9 the next season in 3A. Then, in 2019, the Knights had their first winning season (8-3) and first playoff team in 3A, before losing to Blue Ridge in the first round.

During the reduced COVID year in 2020, they went 5-3, following that up with a 5-5 season in their last year in 3A. Moving up to 4A last year, the Knights went 5-6, before breaking through this year, going 8-4 and winning their first playoff game. Led by All-Arizona defensive end Cayden Gibson, they lost to eventual 4A champion Canyon del Oro 33-27 in four overtimes in the quarterfinals.

"My time as ACP's coach has been an amazing journey," Blueford said. "I couldn't be more proud of what we built.

"I don't know what my next step will be, but I'm excited for a reset."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gavin Lutman leaves Mountain Ridge after one year