When Shaun Aguano took over the Chandler Wolves before the 2011 they had never beaten their cross-town rivals the Hamilton Huskies in 14 tries and had not won a state championship since 1949.

Now, the Wolves are one win away from a third state championship in four years and have dominated the Chandler Unified School District during that span with a 16-0 record within Chandler.

Aguano (“Uncle Shaun” to some players) was hired before the 2011 season by former Chandler athletic director Dave Shapiro after coach Jim Ewan retired. Aguano had served on the Chandler football staff for the previous 10 season, including as the offensive coordinator under Ewan.

Before Aguano’s tenure, the Wolves had been to the playoffs in six of 10 years since the turn of the century with only two semifinal appearances.

“Before Shaun (Aguano) it was tough for Chandler football, especially when they went 0-10 (2000),” Chandler alumnus and super fan Frank Barraza said.

Since then, Aguano has compiled a 72-19 record including 29-3 in the division and 21-5 in the CUSD. Aguano also has taken the Wolves to the playoffs in all seven years. That included six semifinal appearances and two state championships.

Another aspect of the team that has improved under Aguano has been the development of players and their success at the next level.

Before Aguano in the 10 years since the turn of the century, the Wolves sent 17 players to FBS schools with 11 going to Power 5 schools. Since then, they have sent 26 players to the FBS with 18 going to Power 5 schools.

The key to Aguano’s success has been his ability to build a family culture and to have players buy in to his program, according to Chandler athletic director Jim Culver.

The Wolves program has taken the motto of “Ohana,” which means family in Aguano’s native Hawaiian. He has focused on developing young men since he arrived in Chandler. “We’ve all been incorporated into a big family there at Chandler High School,” Aguano said.

“Coach Aguano was like an uncle to me, on and off the field. Sometimes instead of coach I’d call him Uncle Shaun. Even with a program of 300 kids, he loved every one of his players,” Chandler class of 2015 defensive lineman and captain Sama Nakiso Jr. said.

Aguano has used this family culture to build a program full of players with good “character,” according to Culver. “You can’t have winning without good people. It starts from the top down with coaches all the way through the players.”

Aguano also made sure to develop his players as respectable young men. “He would talk to us about how to treat women, how to eat nicely at dinner, and how to be safe at night while going out.” Chandler class of 2015 linebacker Christopher Yuki said.

Aguano has developed his players both on and off the field while leading the Wolves on their path towards dominance.

Aguano has also built a solid relationship between the Wolves and the community within Chandler.

Aguano has reached out more to the Chandler alumni, bringing them into the family as well. “He has people buying into the family theme. Athletes, parents, and the alumni,” Culver said.

Barraza believes Aguano has played a key role in bringing Chandler football to the community through the alumni. “The school, the community, and the team is bigger than any one person,” Barraza said. “Aguano knows that and has reached out to me and he always has a big smile.”

After winning his first state championship, Aguano came home to over 300 emails from former players, and Chandler alumni, according to Barraza. To him that was the most special part about coaching at Chandler.

Within the community, Aguano has developed a strong connection with Chandler football and the youth programs in not only Chandler but throughout the valley.

At the State Championship Media Day, Aguano discussed his relationship with youth football. “All of (the city of) Chandler football…have very strong programs. Our head freshman coach, Keith Taylor has done a fantastic job. When we talk reloading they come in well-equipped to the varsity level,” Aguano said.

This connection became apparent to Barraza when he was at a Cardinals game and he met so youth football players raising money to go to a bowl game. The kids were from Ahwatukee, Tempe, and Phoenix, but when Barraza asked them where they were going to high school they all had once answer: Chandler.

“Aguano has put Chandler front and center in Arizona. Before him they were behind Hamilton in their own city,” Barraza said.

Aguano has gained a lot of respect from around the high school football community in Arizona. “I see a very established football team with great athletes and great coaching. They are the best of the best in Arizona right now,” Hamilton High School head coach Dick Baniszewski said.

With these improvements to the Chandler Wolves football program, sooner or later the Wolves would turn the corner and become a powerhouse.

In the first two years under Aguano, the Wolves showed improvements but still could not beat the rivals down the street or get anything going during the playoffs.

In 2013, the Wolves beat Hamilton for the first time, breaking a streak of 17 losses and was the kindling to their dominance. They played Hamilton again in Aguano’s first semifinal appearance but fell 21-17.

The next year, everything changed. “Beating Mountain Pointe in the semis, and then getting our first playoff win against Hamilton, in the championship, was definitely it.” Nakiso Jr. said in reference to the Wolves turning the corner.

That state championship was Chandler’s first state Championship since 1949. That was debated by Chandler’s naysayers as there were no playoffs in 1949 and both Chandler and St. Mary’s claimed state titles with undefeated seasons.

The winning at Chandler has had a huge impact on the community. “We are over 100 years old, and the first one (championship) was a long time coming. We call ourselves the School of Champions and Aguano has lived up to that,” Culver said.

Barraza and Nakiso Jr. have seen what winning can do when it comes to attendance at football games. “I think it (winning) sparks another energy within the school and community,” Nakiso Jr. said. “Seeing one of the better programs in the nation gives people a reason to leave their homes on Friday nights.”

Barraza believes Chandler is drawing more fans outside of the traditional fan base of students, parents, and alumni. “People from outside of the Chandler community are coming out to see the Wolves.” Barraza said. “Even during the playoffs when ticket prices double to $10 people are still coming out and filling the stadium.”

Former player Christopher Yuki believes winning has been key to Chandler’s growth nationally. “I hate to say it but winning is so important for the team and the community,” Yuki said. “Winning got Chandler more involved in other aspects like receiving donations and sponsorships. Also being a big-time winning team has allowed Chandler to travel and play out of state teams putting them on the map”

Barraza agrees. “Aguano has taken the time to grow the Wolves not only in Arizona but nationally,” Barraza said.

Aguano has built his teams national reputation by playing teams from out of state and playing those elite programs on national television. Since 2013 they have played six teams from outside Arizona and three of those were broadcast national on the ESPN networks. The Wolves beat: No. 19 Valor Christian (Colo.) in 2014, and Valdosta (Ga.) in the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series in 2016 on ESPN. The Wolves lost to: No. 1 St. John Bosco (Calif.) in 2013, No. 7 Bishop Gorman (Nev.) in 2015 on ESPN, No. 8 Centennial (Calif.) in 2016, and No. 2 IMG Academy (Fla.) in 2017 on ESPN.

As Aguano prepares to further solidify his legacy at Chandler, one thing is certain: win or lose Aguano’s impact on Chandler has gone far beyond the playing field.