Five legends to join Arizona HS Coaches Hall of Fame

April 29, 2014 by Jose Garcia, AZPreps365


The newest members of the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame are granted about three minutes to give their induction speeches.

But it’s a rule that coaching legends are allowed to break and often do. And who can blame them?

Encapsulating their decades of success and thanking countless folks who helped the former and current coaches reach one of the in-state’s coaching pinnacles takes time and sometimes some tears. On Sunday, five coaches, Glenn Alford, Joseph Ehlers, Timothy Sanford, Kyle Sawyer, and Miner Webster, rightfully get their turn to take their time to bask in the moment they earned. 

The 31st annual AHSACHOF ceremony will be held at the Phoenix Elks Lodge from noon to about 3 p.m. The event is open to the public and costs $30.

Glenn Alford

Wrestling

Nominated by Tim McBurney

Years coaching: 33, including 23 as an assistant.

Head coaching won-loss record: From 1972 to 1982 at Tempe High Alford went 99-8-1 (990 win percentage). He won two team titles and teams finished runner-up three times. He also coached 14 state champions and 20 state placers.

Joseph Ehlers

Cross country/track

Nominated by David Cruickshank

Years coaching: 47, including 31 as an assistant at South Mountain and Trevor Browne, where he also served as head coach.

Head coaching won-loss record: 149-11 (93 win percentage). Won three state titles (1970, 1972, 1974) and teams finished runner-up three times.

Timothy J. Sanford

Football

Years coaching: 18 at Brophy and 18 as an assistant at Paradise Valley, Moon Valley and St. Mary’s.

Head coaching won-loss record: 128-79-2 (.618 win percentage). Sanford’s 1996 and 1998 Brophy teams were state runner-ups and program reached postseason 12 times.

Kyle Sawyer

Boys cross country

Nominated by Robbie Roberson

Years coaching: 31 as head coach and 29 as an assistant.

Head coaching won-loss record: 1,086-104 (95 win percentage). Won state championships at Westwood (1990, 1991, 1993-96), Dobson (1997), and Mesa Mountain View (2004). Teams also finished runner-up six times.

Miner Webster

Girls basketball

Years coaching: Current Highland girls 20-year basketball coach. Also spent five years at Gilbert.

Head coaching win-loss record: 712-107 (87 win percentage). Webster is 8-1 in state title games and has won 20 region/division championships.