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

Joe Kenrick coached baseball at Wickenburg High School over 30 years as part of a 40 year career at the school.  In addition to baseball, Kenrick coached basketball and football for almost 10 years.  The Wickenburg Wranglers won two Arizona State Titles (1970 and 1980) under Kenrick along with 6...Read more

Tom came to Arizona in 1965 from White Bear Lake High School in central Minnesota and began his Arizona wrestling career as an assistant at Ajo High School.  Two years later Tom was the head coach and remained at Ajo another 22 years.  In 1989 Wokasch moved to Mingus Union High School where he...Read more

Joe Garcia spent his life teaching and coaching in the Phoenix Union High School District.  He is remembered as a loyal assistant coach at Central High School.  He was involved in the freshmen football and baseball programs.  Coach Garcia was active in the Arizona Coaches Association and all its...Read more

Kenneth Smith was the head baseball coach at Benson High School from 1972 to 1992.  His 1987 Benson Bobcats were the Arizona State Class 2A State Champions.  Coach Smith's teams were also the State Runners-Up in 1974 and 1992.  Smith's teams compiled a record of 316 wins and only 153 losses...Read more

Joe English has spent all but one year of his coaching career at Chaparral High School.  He was an assistant coach the first year and the next 25 years as the head coach.  Coach English' record was a sparkling 73% winning percentage with 480 total wins.  His Firebirds were the Arizona State...Read more

Tim began coaching high school soccer as an assistant at Ironwood High School in 1993.  A year later Tim assumed the head coaching position.  To this date Tim's teams have won 338, lost 90, and tied 17 times for a winning percentage of almost 80%.  Beck's Ironwood Eagles have been the Arizona...Read more

Sam began his 20 year secondary coaching career at Judson High school in 1978 and was head coach at Camelback and Mountain Pointe High schools for a total of 17 years before moving to the community college ranks.  Coach Ballard's head coaching record included 339 wins and a 65% winning...Read more

Lois began an incredible 51 year high school coaching career in 1965 at Dysart High School when she was hired as a physical education teacher and head badminton coach.  The 1971 Dysart team captured the state championship when both her singles player and doubles team won state titles.  Based on...Read more

Tom's high school baseball career began in 1975 when he accepted a teaching and assistant baseball coaching position at Casa Grande High School.  One year later he relocated to Brophy College Preparatory in the same role.  By 1978 he was the Brophy head coach.  He has continued in this role at...Read more

Coach Waldo Lee Bast led the Prescott Badgers in Track and Field for 30 years (1929-1968).  The Badgers were the State Champions in 1952 and the State Runners-Up in 1932.  Bast's teams were also the league champions in track 5 times.  Coach Bast was selected the Coach of the Year in 1932, 34,...Read more

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