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

Coach Bob Everett was an Arizona High school coach for more than 25 years.  His teams won 7 State Baseball Championship titles at 3 different levels from 2A to 5A.  He also has 3 Runners-Up during that span.  Coach Everett's 1991 Gilbert Tigers captured the 5A State crown.  In addition to 7...Read more

Gerald "Wimpy" Jones was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  Wimpy first coached at Duncan High School from 1945-50 where his teams went 79-42.  He moved on to Coolidge where his Bears went 143-71.  His last stop, Phoenix Union, the Coyotes were 244-87.  Coach...Read more

Jiggs Hardt was an outstanding basketball coach at North High School for over 28 years.  Coach Hardt was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  Coach Hardt was also a great football player, playing for both ASU and NAU before his graduation.  Jiggs was a product of a...Read more

Al Munoz was a great athlete in high school and college.  Boxing was probably Al's first love in athletics.  Coach Munoz served in WWII and was the All Services Heavyweight Boxing Champion.  Later in life Al became an internationally acclaimed boxing official, refereeing major bouts around the...Read more

Larry Hart was a highly successful football coach at Flowing Wells in Tucson, Arizona.  His Caballeros were State Runners-Up 5 times and were the undefeated State Champions in 1975.  Coach Hart was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  Larry once served at the...Read more

Parley "Verl" Heap was an immensely successful basketball coach in the White Mountains of Arizona for over 30 years.  His St. Johns Redskins won 8 State Championships and they were also the Runners-Up 6 times.  Coach Heap was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame. ...Read more

Coach Doolen was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  During his 32 years of high school career  coaching his basketball teams won 701 games while only losing 134 games.  Coach Doolen's Badgers won 5 state championships during his reign.  The Badgers won 51 games in...Read more

Mutt Ford was a charter member of the Arizona Coaches Association Hall of Fame.  Coach Ford was a head football coach in the Mesa School District from 1945 to 1966.  Many of his great seasons were before the era of the AIA playoffs.  Coach Ford's Mesa Jackrabbits, however, won the 5A State Title...Read more

Although he coached at Morenci, Casa Grande, and San Manuel, the name Vern Friedli is synonymous with Amphitheater High School.  Coach Vern was the Panthers head football coach for 36 years.  At the time of his retirement (2011-12), Coach Friedli had 331 wins (now 2nd place all time) that has...Read more

Coach Hall is currently on the Executive Board of the Coaches Hall of Fame and has served as the president of the organization from 1994 to 2019 (25 years).  Coach Hall began his coaching career at Tolleson Union High School in 1964 as the Varsity Baseball Coach.  Coach Hall moved over to...Read more

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