Chandler High School’s Football Program Prepares Athletes for

Professional Level
Written by: Alexandra Medina

Chandler, Ariz. - An Arizona high school has been in the eyes of high school football athletes
across the nation, because of its rich history of 6A state championship titles, and pushing high
school athletes to the professional level.

For decades Chandler has been viewed as the most dominant high school football program in
the state of Arizona. Holding six state titles, and sitting within the top 25 ranked high school
football programs nationally, six times.

Chandler’s Head Coach Shaun Aguano, led Chandler to four state titles within five years. During
the year of 2019, Aguano became a running back coach for Arizona State University. Rick
Garretson took over Chandler's football program as head coach, following Aguanos departure.

“I’ve been fortunate to have a great staff that has great leadership and mentorship, I’ve never
been a one man show,” Garretson said.

Rick Garretson, Chandler head coach. (Photo by Chandler High School)

Chandler has been the home of many professional athletes, but mostly professional football
athletes such as Cameron Jordan, Dion Jordan, N’keal Harry, the list goes on. In 2022 it was
said by Arizona Republic that Chandler is ranked 7th nationally for high school NFL Draft Picks
that have been made within the last decade.

“This is America, you play where you want to play if you want to come here great, come and
compete,” Garretson said.

While there may be many football programs around the nation that are comparable to
Chandler’s, in Arizona this is where the quarterbacks throw and the running backs run.

“It has been a wild ride over the last decade or so,” Garretson said.