Surprise, Arizona – The local high school football program is facing uncertainty following the recent arrest of head coach Bill Godsil. On Thursday, Godsil was taken into custody by the Surprise Police Department on suspicion of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to minors, as detailed in the police report. The investigation is ongoing, but officials state it did not involve any students from Mesa Dobson High School.
In light of these developments, the school has placed Godsil on administrative leave. Since taking the head coaching position in 2019, Godsil has struggled to turn the program around, with the team finishing with a record of 2-8 last season—its sixth consecutive losing season. The school has not won a state championship since 1987, and questions now arise about who will lead the team during this turbulent time.
Gabbi Buckley, the principal at Dobson, has stated that she has no information on an interim coach but assures parents and athletes that they will be kept informed. Athletic Director Renee Regoli communicated in a letter to the football families that a search for a new head coach is underway as they work closely with Mesa Public Schools officials to formulate a hiring timeline.
For now, the players will continue to work under Bryson Lanza, the offensive coordinator, during the offseason. Spring football is scheduled to commence in late April, followed by competitions in June. Additionally, Regoli mentioned that support is available for the student-athletes as they cope with the uncertainty surrounding their program.
Former head coach Derek Zellner, who was an assistant under Godsil, has recently been named the head football coach at Arizona College Prep but will assist at Dobson in the weight room for the remainder of the school year.
The 5A team will also be moving into a revamped Central Valley region next fall, which includes schools like Barry Goldwater and Ironwood. With the shifting dynamics, it remains to be seen how quickly the program can stabilize.
As this story unfolds, the priority remains on the athletes and their well-being during this challenging period.
