Welcome Message

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

Marlin LeSueur had a long and successful career at Round Valley High School.  Coach LeSueur's Elks were the 2A 1963 State Champions.  Coach LeSueur also coached the girls later in his career.  The Lady Elks were the State Class 2A Runners-Up in 1981.Read more

Rollin T. Gridley was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.  Coach Gridley's Tucson Badgers were the State Champions (all classes) in 1934, and the Runners-Up in 1933 and '35.   Gridley also was a great football coach.  His Badgers once set a state record (at that time) by...Read more

John Pavlich coached basketball and football for the Globe Tigers for 20 years. Pavlich also coached at the little logging town McNary in the White Mountains and at Tucson Sunnyside.  Coach Pavlich's football Tigers were the Arizona State Champions in 1953, 1956, 1957, and 1960.  His basketball...Read more

Coach Paul Nelson (third from left in the current picture) coached the Thatcher Eagles from 1974 to 1992.  He had an overall record of 425-104.  Coach Nelson's teams earned 9 State Championships and 5 State Runners-Up.  Coach Nelson was the Arizona Republic Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1986. ...Read more

Coach Manny Ruiz coached his entire high school career in the mining towns of Superior and San Manuel.  Coach Ruiz' San Manuel Miners were the State Runners-Up to Agua Fria in 1965 by a single basket.  His Superior Panthers were the 1974 State Champions and the 1975 State Runners-Up.  Rex Mirich...Read more

Gil Trejo was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Hall of Fame.  Gil graduated from Phoenix Union High School and Arizona State University.  Coach Trejo played pro baseball and ended his career in the New York Yankees organization.  Coach Trejo's Maryvale Panthers won him State Titles in...Read more

Coach Bob Ruman worked in the Phoenix Union District beginning in 1947.  Ruman coached football and baseball at Phoenix Union, Camelback and Central High Schools.  His Central Bobcats were the 5A State Champions in 1964. His teams also won 4 division championships. Ruman's peers selected him as...Read more

Karl Kiefer has long been associated with the highest levels of success in Arizona High School Football.  His 309 wins at one time were #1 in Arizona and still put him in the top 7.  Coach Kiefer won 3 State Championships at Tempe McClintock High School.  He finished his career at the new Tempe...Read more

An Arizona product all the way, Hal Eustice was a baseball icon in Southern Arizona for many years.  Coach Eustice graduated from Amphi in Tucson, U of A, minor league baseball for 3 years, and completed a long career with boys and baseball at San Manuel and Tucson Sahuaro.  Hal's Miners at San...Read more

Walt Beamis was an outstanding football coach for 20 years at Phoenix Christian High School.  His Cougars won back to back State Titles in 1984 and 1985. His Cougars compiled a record of 140-64-4 with 8 Division titles along the way  Coach Beamis was an ACA All-Star Football Coach three times ...Read more

Pages