Jeremy Hathcock hired to lead Verrado football after stepping down at Blue Ridge

Jeremy Hathcock, who lifted Mesa Desert Ridge to an elite level in Arizona, is back in the Valley, ready to lead Buckeye Verrado's football program.

The school put out a release on social media Wednesday to announce Hathcock's hiring as head coach.

Principal Kevin Thomas told The Arizona Republic that he was impressed by Hathcock during the interview.

"I think Jeremy has a presence about how he communicates," Thomas said. "He cares about people. He cares about the whole kid. When he gets involved in a program, he wants to make it great. The Verrado community has high expectations and he wants to live up to those."

Verrado plays in one of the toughest 5A regions that includes Goodyear Desert Edge, Goodyear Millennium and Glendale Cactus. Desert Edge was the 5A runner-up last season and Cactus finished runner-up in 5A in 2022.

Hathcock is impressed by the community and the commitment by kids in the program.

"They haven't lost any kids," Hathcock. "It shows how much they care for each other."

Hathcock will meet with the players soon, he said. He has already made the move down from the White Mountains back to a home he owns in the East Valley. He said by summer he hopes to settle into a home in Buckeye. He said his son Alec would be part of his staff. Alec helped his dad at Blue Ridge for the last three seasons.

Hathcock said he knows Verrado has a big quarterback room that got bigger with the transfer move of former Tonopah Valley quarterback Malachi Wilt, a sophomore, who passed for 4,404 yards and 49 TDs last season.

He said there are four to five quarterbacks in the room, including the returning starter, Chase Gieszler, who passed for more than 1,600 yards and 20 TDs and ran for 153 yards last season.

"I'm excited to start working with those kids."

Hathcock stepped down last week from Blue Ridge last Friday.

He returned to his alma mater at Lakeside Blue Ridge in 2021 after leading Mesa Desert Ridge to elite big-school status during a 15-year run that included state championship appearances in 2010 and 2015. The 2015 team upset Chandler 24-21 in the semifinals.

Hathcock has been good at adjusting to personnel and using an offense that fits.

He said that he is bringing over Corona (California) Centennial coach Matt Logan for a clinic. He said that he is good friends with Logan.

Hathcock said that he likes to run Logan's offense.

"We got some good things happening," Hathcock said.

Hathcock said after watching film of Verrado, that the program is close to competing with the likes of Desert Edge.

"If we can bring a toughness element along and kind of give them a vertical alignment in progress, I think we're close," he said.

Blue Ridge put out a release Friday thanking Hathcock for the job he did there.

"Coach Hathcock wishes to pursue another professional opportunity, and we support his decision," the release stated. "We will forever appreciate his numerous contributions during his three-year tenure as head football coach and athletic director.

"Coach Hathcock demonstrated unwavering dedication and commitment to the Blue Ridge football program during his tenure. Under his leadership, Blue Ridge Football returned as one of Arizona's premier programs. His passion for the game and relentless pursuit of excellence have left an indelible mark on our school and community."

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Dr. Mike Wright, Superintendent of Blue Ridge Schools, said in the release the school was ''incredibly grateful'' for Hathcock's contribution.

"His leadership, hard work, and dedication have reestablished Blue Ridge Football as a force to be reckoned with in Arizona,'' Wright said. "We wish Jeremy all the best in his future endeavors and will always consider him an important part of the BR family."

Verrado's coaching job opened after Dustin Johnson stepped down, following a 3-7 season. The Vipers play in the 5A Desert Valley Region with Goodyear Desert Edge, which lost to Gilbert Higley 42-41 in last season's 5A championship game.

Hathcock led Blue Ridge for the past three seasons. This past season, his Yellow Jackets went 9-3, losing to top-seed Bullhead City Mohave in the 3A quarterfinals.

Hathcock had been looking to return to the Valley since the end of last season. He was a finalist for the Mesa Mountain View job, before that went to Andy Litten.

Hathcock said he would bring his son Alec on staff.

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

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Jeremy Hathcock hired to lead Verrado football