Jeremy Hathcock, who guided Show Low High to a 3A football title two years ago, has accepted an offer to be the next coach at Desert Ridge High School.
Hathcock, 34, accepted the offer Monday. His varsity coaching record in three seasons at Show Low, 2002-04, was 27-8. At one point, Show Low won 19 games in a row. The Cougars were 13-0 in 2003 when they beat Seton Catholic for the 3A title. Hathcock replaces Vince Smith, who resigned in January to take a job at Tucson High.
‘‘The first thing we have to do is keep the kids that should go to Desert Ridge staying at Desert Ridge,’’ Hathcock said. ‘‘It’s a great opportunity for me as a young coach. It’s a growing area, and it’s one of the toughest regions in the state.’’
Hathcock worked this past season as offensive coordinator at Goodyear Estrella Foothills. Prior to his stint at Show Low and Estrella Foothills he worked as an assistant at Phoenix Christian.
‘‘I’m really excited,’’ said Hathcock, an All-Arizona running back two years at Lakeside Blue Ridge. ‘‘I have a sister and ties on the east side so that makes it even better.’’
In his prep career at Blue Ridge, Hathcock was part of three state title teams (1987, 1989 and 1990) playing for coach Paul Moro. After high school he played at Phoenix College and Rocky Mountain College in Montana.
