Longtime Apache Junction assistant Jeff Rathjen was named interim football coach for the Prospectors' 2012 season.
Rathjen takes over for Justin MacDonald, who took over the program last spring but resigned in May, citing family reasons.
Rathjen has been in the program for the past 15 years as a coach on virtually every level of the program, mostly at the varsity level as a coordinator and offensive line coach.
In an email on Friday morning, athletic director Don Brennan wrote that after the season, new principal Larry LaPrise "will re-evaluate the coaching position and decide to either re-open the position or hire from within."
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
