- Slug: Sports-Saguaro Zak Hill, 700 words.
- 3 photos (thumbnails, captions below)
By Vincent Deangelis
Cronkite News
SCOTTSDALE – Jason Mohn’s 11-year run as coach of Saguaro High School football was nothing short of spectacular.
Mohns won seven state titles at the program’s helm, including the coveted Open Championship in 2021. Mohns, who left Saguaro nearly a month ago to become the new tight ends coach at ASU, received a phone call shortly after his departure from an erstwhile ASU offensive coordinator, Zak Hill.
After a brief discussion, Mohns gave Hill the phone number of Saguaro Athletic Director Matt Harris, who was eagerly looking for a worthy replacement for the esteemed job.
Five weeks later, Hill became the head coach for the Saguaro football program.
“I asked Matt to let me know what their vision was,” Hill said. “Once I knew that, it sparked a little bit more interest. I jumped in, applied and started going through the process.”
During Wednesday’s introductory press conference, Hill expressed his love for the program, gratitude for the coaching opportunity and excitement to meet his players and coaching staff.
Hill revealed that returning to the high school level after a few seasons coaching in the college ranks was good for him because it allowed him more time to be with his players and the ability to build closer relationships with not only his team but his staff and the community.
His last coaching stint came as an offensive assistant with American Leadership Academy – Gilbert North, a charter school with championship pedigree. The team captured the 4A state title in his lone year with the Eagles.
In 2020, Hill coached the ASU offense under former coach Herm Edwards after working as the offensive coordinator at Boise State for four years. Hill resigned a season later while the program dealt with the NCAA’s investigation into recruiting violations.
His unique blend of experiences caught the attention of Harris.
“What set Zak apart from the other candidates was just the elite level that I think he can help move our kids to,” Harris said. “He has a great understanding of what kids need to do to succeed at the next level and prepare for the next level. He checked every box for us.”
Although Hill spent only one season with the Sun Devils, he left an impression, especially on current ASU starting quarterback Trenton Bourguet.
Bourguet arrived five minutes before the press conference on a pair of crutches as he recovers from foot surgery. From the back of the room, he sat and watched his former coach give his inaugural speech.
One day, he wants to emulate Hill as a football coach and replicate the ideas that Hill taught him on the gridiron. But for now, he’s still taking notes.
“I made sure to text him last night when I heard the news,” Bourguet said. “I’m super excited for him and his family because he was one of my favorite coaches, and as good as he was as a coach, he was a good person as well.”
Hill’s resume could have landed him another coaching job at many colleges across the country, but one key factor played a role in his decision to return to the high school level: family.
“I’ve had a lot of conversations with my wife and my parents – they’re all part of this decision. When we came down here we definitely fell in love with Arizona,” Hill said. “(My kids) are seven to 10 years old. So now they know what’s happening with moving, and I’ve had an opportunity to do some things, which has given me some experience, and I can then transfer into this job. But I think we’re at a good time in life with the stability and the environment we’re around.”
Now Hill faces the daunting task to fill the proverbial shoes that Mohns has left behind. However, Hill says he’s more than ready to take on the challenge.
“Jason did an amazing job here and set the bar high,” Hill said. “I want to continue and try to push the envelope a little bit and raise those standards, and elevate these kids in a lot of different ways in life.”
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