It took awhile, but Westwood finally has a new football coach.
Mesa district athletic director Steve Hogen confirmed Wednesday that Queen Creek JV coach Spencer Stowers was hired as the Warriors football coach. The move was nearly a month in the making and approved by the school district during its board meeting on Tuesday night.
Stowers is the fifth coach at Westwood in the past decade. He replaces Greg Mendez, who coached the last four years at the school before resigned in November.
Stowers said Wednesday that he'll remain as Dean of Students at Queen Creek Elementary School for the rest of the schools year, but then teach physical education at Westwood.
He also said a few Queen Creek assistants will join him at Westwood, and that his staff is "somewhat complete" and hopes to have it finalized in the next two weeks. He's hoping some of his assistants can also be teachers at the school. He also plans to meet with Mendez's assistants "in the next week or so."
Stowers, 26, has served on Joe Germaine's staff the past two years at Queen Creek and coached at the school for three seasons overall. Stowers moved up to JV coach last season after being the school's freshman coach in 2010. He also assisted at the varsity level those two years.
Stowers graduated from Mesquite in 2003, where he played football under former Wildcats coach Rich Iverson. Stowers and his two brothers played at Jamestown College in Jamestown, N.D., an NAIA school. After graduation he coached linebackers for one year at Jamestown before he returned to Arizona.
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
ftbll21 posted at 7:39 am on Fri, Feb 17, 2012.
Sorry Irons1, I know coach Stowers I have watched him coach and seen him with the kids. Age has nothing to do with what makes a good coach. Comparing him to another man is comparing apples to oranges. Give the guy a chance.
Irons1 posted at 6:21 am on Fri, Feb 17, 2012.
Sorry, didn't apply and wouldn't want it. 26 years old and an assistant JV coach does not make it as a varsity coach. Another Eddy Zubey who is only using it as a stepping stone to another job in two years. I was right about Zubey and I'm right now.
ftbll21 posted at 6:04 pm on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
Irons1 probably applied for the job and did not get the job! Westwood is lucky to get him! Great guy and great coach!
QCFan posted at 4:48 pm on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
Irons1, do you know Coach Stowers? Do you know what he can do? Obviously not. Give him a chance to show you and help the Warriors football program become successful again.
Irons1 posted at 6:50 am on Thu, Feb 16, 2012.
Unbelievably stupid move.
QCFan posted at 4:17 pm on Wed, Feb 15, 2012.
Way to go, Coach Stowers! Best of luck to you and your coaching staff. QC will miss you guys!