News Summary

High school football is undergoing a significant transformation in Arizona and South Carolina as numerous schools announce new coaching hires. Arizona sees a flurry of changes with over half of its high schools seeking new head coaches, while D.W. Daniel High School in South Carolina introduces Chris Stone as their new leader. The upcoming season promises fresh talent and new strategies as these coaches aim to revitalize their programs and engage their communities.

Exciting Times in Arizona and South Carolina: New Football Coaches Stepping Up

In a whirlwind of activity this offseason, high school football in Arizona is buzzing with fresh talent and ambition as over half of the state’s high schools are on the hunt for new head coaches. With spring football camps just around the corner, schools are eager to fill their coaching vacancies to prepare for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, in South Carolina, D.W. Daniel High School has announced a new leader for their football program, setting the stage for an exciting new chapter.

Arizona’s Coaching Shuffle

Highlighting the Arizona scene, the Arizona Republic has compiled a list of the top ten coaching hires for the 2025 season, and the names are making waves already. One of the standout hires is Ty Wisdom, returning to Chandler after leading Millard South to a championship in Nebraska. Wisdom takes over from Rick Garretson, who celebrated remarkable success with the Wolves, including two Open state championships. With an incredibly talented roster and state-of-the-art facilities at his disposal, Wisdom’s prospects look bright.

Another notable addition comes in the form of Jeremy Hathcock, taking on the historic Jackrabbits program at Mesa after a brief stint at Buckeye Verrado. His goal is clear: to rebuild the proud history of the Jackrabbits, and fans are excited to see the direction he will take the program.

Ending a year’s journey in Georgia, coaching twins Marcus and Mark Carter return to Phoenix Maryvale, where they’re ready to breathe life into a struggling football program. Known for their revitalization skills at both South Mountain and Desert Edge, expectations are high for the dynamic duo.

At Peoria Centennial, Andrew Taylor has been promoted to head coach following his father’s retirement after an impressive 35-year career filled with victories and championships. The transition is anticipated to be smooth as Taylor steps into the role of leading the program that brought home eight state titles during his father’s tenure.

Trace Carroll is taking the helm at Scottsdale Chaparral after the school experienced two unsuccessful searches for a head coach. With strong ties to Chaparral as a former player and assistant coach, elevated expectations are brewing as Carroll gets settled into his new position.

Derek Zellner is moving from assistant head coach at Mesa Dobson to lead Chandler Arizona College Prep, with expectations to build upon the success of a talented squad that made it to the 4A championship final last season. Jon Roberts steps in at Phoenix Mountain Pointe, succeeding Eric Lauer, while Scott Hare returns to Arizona to instill stability at Queen Creek Crismon after a successful stint in Washington state.

Lastly, Loren Dawson has come back to his roots at Casa Grande Vista Grande, after his successful run at ALA Ironwood, and Bobby Newcombe aims to revive the struggling Mesa Dobson program, having previously led Queen Creek Casteel to notable heights.

D.W. Daniel High School Welcomes Chris Stone

Down in South Carolina, D.W. Daniel High School is gearing up for a new era under Chris Stone. Having replaced Jeff Fruster, who enjoyed an impressive run with three state championships to his name, Stone brings his own experience to the table. Previously at Walhalla High, where he achieved the school’s first playoff victory since 1995, he is ready to present a character-building approach both on and off the field to align with the values of the school.

Stone’s past coaching stints as an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Mauldin and Easley add to his impressive portfolio as he gears up to lead D.W. Daniel, which finished with an impressive 11-2 record last season, making it to the Class AAAA Upper State semifinals.

The upcoming meet-and-greet scheduled for April 2 is sure to attract attention, as both parents and players are eager to meet their new coach and hear his vision for the team.

New Beginnings for Iowa Park CISD

And in a move that is sure to resonate, Iowa Park CISD has hired Bryan Wood as their new athletic director and head football coach. With a remarkable career record of 203-84 over 31 years, including 24 as a head coach, Wood is no stranger to success. He’s taken on the task of not only improving the football program that had recent playoff appearances but also aims to enhance the overall athletic department within the community.

With all these changes happening across Arizona and South Carolina, it’s clear that exciting times lie ahead for high school football. As the new seasons approach, players, coaches, and fans alike are brimming with anticipation for what’s to come. Let’s get ready for some thrilling football action!

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