While coach Nemer Hassey is entering his final season at Cienega, there are 12 programs across Southern Arizona with new coaches. Here's a look at the seven around Tucson:
Jorge Mendivil
School: Amphitheater
Quick facts: Mendivil lettered three seasons at Benson High School as a center and outside linebacker. He was also a three-sport athlete with the Bobcats and is entering his 19 season coaching football.
Last year at this time: After stepping down as the football coach and athletic director of Empire High School, Mendivil was the offensive coordinator at Walden Grove last season.
Favorite part of new school: “There's a lot of pride here, there's a lot of history involved at Amphitheater. The fact coach Vern Fredili is a legend, he's the best coach in Southern Arizona history. To be able to walk in the same hallways, locker rooms and field as them is an honor.” – Mendivil
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Virgil Henderson
School: Cholla
Quick facts: After graduating from Catalina, Henderson went on to play one season at Scottsdale CC. He also played 10 years of semi-professional football after serving time in the military.
Last year at this time: Henderson was appointed the head coach at Rincon/University. He went on to finish the season 0-10. He was an assistant at Salpointe Catholic prior to taking over at Rincon.
Favorite part of new school: “I'm in a blessed place right now, a lot of coaches might say I'm pretty stupid to be here. But, it’s a hidden gem over here, no one really knows too much about our program. It's a blue collar community and the kids were raised like how I was, going through tough adversity.” – Henderson
Laurence Ruhf
School: Palo Verde
Quick facts: Played for coach Howard Brenig and Will Kreamer at Sahuaro and was a junior tight end and defensive end when the Cougars tied for the 4A state championship in 1994.
Last year at this time: Ruhf was entering his fourth season as Cholla’s coach. The Chargers finished the season 4-6.
Favorite part of new school: “I'm in love with the Palo Verde community. The kids here are hard-working and respectful. Coach Todd Mayfield did a great job of building the tradition here.” –Ruhf
Brandon Sanders
School: Pueblo
Quick facts: Sanders, a member of the Desert Swarm defenses at UA, played three seasons with the New York Giants from 1997-99. He starred as a defensive back at Helix High School in San Diego, California, years before Alex Smith and Reggie Bush arrived.
Last year at this time: Sanders was an assistant on Jeff Scurran's staff at Catalina Foothills. He was the co-defensive coordinator and coached the defensive backs and.
Favorite part of new school: “The kids. It seems like every week they're doing something outsiders said they couldn't do. Our administration is completely behind us.” - Sanders
Lucius Miller
School: Rincon/University
Quick facts: Miller has been at Rincon/University for the last 20 years coaching track and football. Miller played one year of freshman football, before sticking with track and was a part of an All-American relay team at the UA.
Last year at this time: Miller was an assistant at Rincon under Virgil Henderson. He focused on the defensive backs and safeties.
Favorite part of new school: “I like the opportunity for growth, the school is a great demographic of the city and culture in Tucson. The kids are excited, trying to make it into a football school.” – Miller
Cody House
School: Santa Rita
Quick facts: House was the starting quarterback at Cholla for three seasons. He threw for 2,301 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior and helped the Chargers win just their second postseason game in school history. He went on to be a career backup at Western New Mexico.
Last year at this time: House was entering his first season as Tucson's freshman football coach.
Favorite part of new school: “The natural athletic ability about the kids on this side of town, for some reason all the athletes live over here. A lot of the guys on my staff are just saying 'Wow, these guys are so fast.'” – House
Jeremiah Johnson
School: Tanque Verde
Quick facts: Johnson played center and linebacker at Miami High School, where he lettered on varsity for three years. Johnson's father, Bill, coached Miami to three straight state championship appearances.
Last year at this time: Johnson was entering his sixth season at Miami and second as head coach, trying to piece together the depth chart.
Favorite part of new school: “The fact that we get to build a program, we get to build a true football program. Give these kids the chance to be apart of something big.” – Johnson
Contact reporter Chuck Constantino at cconstantino@tucson.com or 954-0859. On Twitter: @CConstan3 or @azprepstar
