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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

Jesse Parker was an outstanding football coach with stops at Camelback, Mesa Mountain View, Texarkana Texas, and Gilbert High Schools.  Jesse's teams were characterized by toughness and discipline.  Coach Parker's 1973 Camelback Spartans were state runners-up and his 1974 team was the 5A state...Read more

Earl "Tiny" Putman was a highly successful football coach at Moon Valley High School.  Earl was formerly the Treasurer for the HOF Executive Board for years.  Coach Putman was an undefeated state champion at 14-0 in 1982.  His MV Rockets were state runners-up in 1986.  Earl was instrumental in...Read more

After playing baseball at Arizona State University and graduating from Northern Arizona University Art Griiffith began a long and storied tenure as the head baseball coach at Winslow High School.   He is working on his 51st consecutive year as the head baseball coach and was an assistant one...Read more

Ed Nymeyer coached basketball and taught PE at Flowing Wells High School winning state titles in 1963 and 1968.  His 1969 team was the state runner-up.  Coach Nymeyer came back later in his career and led the Flowing Wells girls to a state runner-up in 1985.  Coach Nymeyer caused quite a stir...Read more

Jim Beall is a career high school football coach with several stops, good stops, along the way.  Jim coached at Ray, Snowflake, Payson, and Higley.  Jim's 1991 and 92 Snowflake teams were state champions.  Jim's 1998 Payson team broke Blue Ridge's 65 game win streak in the title game.  Coach...Read more

Coach Shaffer is currently serving on the Executive Board of the AHSACHOF as the annual banquet ceremony chairman.  Doug coached football at Scottsdale Horizon from its beginnings (1980) to the present.  Doug formally retired from the Varsity program in 2002.  He has continued to coach Freshman ...Read more

Coach McBurney is currently serving on the Executive Board of the AHSACHOF. Tim McBurney started teaching and coaching at Tempe High School from 1970 to 2001.  McBurney coached football (4A State Champions in 1996), wrestling, and track (State Runners-up in 1987) for 20 years.  Tim moved on to...Read more

Coach Sanford is currently serving on the Executive Board of the AHSACHOF.  Coach spent 36 years of his life coaching prep football in Arizona.  After stops as an assistant at St. Mary's and Moon Valley, Coach Sanford became the head coach for 18 years at Brophy College Prep.  Tim's 1996 and...Read more

Mike Clark is currently serving on the AHSACHOF on the Executive Board.  Coach Clark was a symbol of excellence in the 5A division of the East Valley.  His 1987 Dobson team beat a strong Mountain View team for the State Title.  Coach Clark spent many years active in the coaches association,...Read more

Coach Wayne DesCombs led the Owls of Agua Fria through 3 decades of baseball.  Wayne's boys won the State Title in 1974 and 1983.  McComb's teams were State Runners-up in 1972 and 1992.  Coach McCombs was instrumental in many of the ACA Baseball All-Star games as a coach and as a liaison officer...Read more

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