Who wants to be a prep fb coach? Step right up, win or else

November 15, 2010 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


Jim Jones resigned/was fired as football coach at Red Mountain last November.  Red Mountain was a perennial playoff participant under Jones, won two state titles in the decade. Reached the semis a couple times. Time, however, for a change.

The change: Ron Wisniewski. Wisniewski produces a 7-4 record in his first year. The Mountain Lions reach the playoffs and lose in the first round.

Tim McBurney was fired last winter as Basha football coach.  Basha was a perennial playoff participant under McBurney, reached the state semifinals once. Time, however, for a change.

The change: Bernie Busken. Busken produces a 9-2 record in his first year. Basha wins its region championship. The Bears reach the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and lose in the first round.

Curt LeBlanc as fired last year as Queen Creek football coach. Queen Creek was 65-36 under LeBlanc, just didn't have much success once the Bulldogs reached the postseason. Time, however, for a change.

The change: Joe Germaine. Queen Creek is 9-2. The Bulldogs are in the 4A-I quarterfinals. Joe, your job is safe -- for another week. at least.

Tom Joseph was fired Monday as Mountain View football coach after nine seasons. Mountain View was a perennial playoff participant under Joseph, won a state title, was state-runner-up twice and semifinalist three other times. Time, however, for a change.

The change: Don't know yet.

Does it matter? Not really. If you don't win nowadays in the prep world, win quickly and ultimately big (read state title), you are not long for your job. No matter how well you've done it in the long run.

This is high school folks. It's a disturbing trend. Nothing against Wisniewski, Busken or Germaine. Just a tongue-in-cheek warning (I think).

They've done a fine their first year on the job. However, national security does not hinge on whether or not they win state titles. Neither does the economy. But how much time do they have? At  the rate coaches are going down, two years tops.

And what of Hamilton coach Steve Belles? What happens to him if somehow the Huskies don't win the 5A-I title in a couple of weeks for the fourth year in a row? I shudder to think.