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The structure of this web site is to honor those individuals that have devoted their lives to serving Arizona's youth with leadership, excellence, and success.  The men and women inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame are the epitome of their profession and are being honored by their peers.  As of this writing 220 great coaches/educators have been inducted into this place of honor.  The Hall of Fame inductions began in 1984 with 32 charter members.  Usually a group of 5 new worthy coaches are added annually after a preceding member and/or the Executive Board induction committee nominates and then selects the candidates on the basis of their tenure, merit, and other exemplary characteristics.  We hope you enjoy moving through this history of excellence in Arizona High School Athletics.  You are navigating through a membership of coaches that have all been a coach for 20 years in the same sport, more than one sport, had unparalleled success, and/or have served their respective coaches' associations in various volunteer capacities.  Enjoy this trip down memory lane. There is a handsome public display of all 220 coaches in the Gila River Arena in Glendale just inside Gate 7. 

Hall of Fame

Joe Ehlers led the South Mountain Rebels to the 5A State Cross Country Titles in 1970, 72, and 74.  Coach Ehlers moved on to Trevor Browne High School before retirement after 47 years of coaching.  His meet record at South Mountain was an amazing 149-11.  Coach also had three State Runners-Up...Read more

Glenn Alford was the Tempe Buffalos head wrestling coach for 10 years and an assistant an additional 23.  Coach Alford's boy's won the 1980 5A State Title over Tucson Sunnyside by 36.5 points.  Tempe Union was also the State Runner-Up in 1978.  Alford's Buffalos won another State Title and two ...Read more

Todd Ford coached wrestling in Arizona from 1985 to 2006.  Coach Ford worked at Maricopa, Tempe, Mountain Pointe, and Desert Vista.  Coach Ford compiled a 65% winning percentage which included 217 career dual match victories.  His boys were the 2002 State Runner-Up.   Coach Ford has been chosen...Read more

Coach John Tissaw spent his life coaching basketball around the state of Arizona with stops in Snowflake, Cottonwood, Thatcher, Tucson Amphi, and ultimately Tucson Canyon Del Oro.  Coach Tissaw's Dorados were back to back State Class 4A Champions in 1977 and 1978.  Coach Tissaw passed away in...Read more

Coach Doug Baker led the Flagstaff Eagles on the basketball court with great success in the 1970's, 80's and 90's.  He coached baseball in earlier years at Mayer.  The Eagles were 67-9 over a three year span 1973-75 with the State Title over Canyon Del Oro the last year.  Coach Baker's son Robin...Read more

Coach Herman Andrews was a phenomenally successful track coach for the Safford Bulldogs for over 20 years.  Coach Andrews teams won 10 3A  Boy's State Championships and 2 Runners-Up.   Coach Andrews' Lady Bulldogs won a remarkable 15 State Championships during the same time span.   BB was also...Read more

Coach Bill Gahn began his Arizona coaching career at Prescott High School in 1979.  he coached 17 years at Prescott.  In 1996, he moved to Sunrise Mountain in Peoria where he coached another 3 years.  Gahn retired from football in 1999 with an overall coaching record of 125 wins, 74 losses, and...Read more

Richard "Rich" Bratt was a career high school basketball coach and PE teacher in the northeastern sections of Arizona. Coach Bratt began his career in Holbrook in 1969 after graduating from The Ohio State University.  He moved to Joseph City as the head basketball coach and then to Winslow. ...Read more

Richard Gray was a successful football coach in high school and college for over 33 years. Coach Gray spent time at Shadow Mountain, Horizon, Gilbert, Chandler, and the Arizona Boy's Ranch.   His early 2000's Arizona Boys Ranch teams were among the best at the 3A level.  The Boy's Ranch teams...Read more

Coach Richard "Dick" Imhoff was a 3 sport coach at Gila Bend and Salome High Schools in western Arizona.  At Salome Imhoff's teams won seven division championships.  Coach Imhoff's Salome Frogs were the 1979 football State Runner-Up and the 1980 State Champions.  Coach Imhoff also was a State...Read more

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