Saguaro hires state champ coach from Washington

Saguaro Football Taps Washington State Champ to Revive the Dynasty

The most storied high school football program in our backyard just made a big move. Scottsdale Saguaro has hired Jason Ronquillo as its new head football coach, bringing in the man who built Yelm High School into a Washington state champion.

For Sabercat fans who have been white-knuckling through the last two seasons, this feels like a deep exhale. After watching the program go 4-16 under Darius Kelly, a far cry from the six consecutive state titles under Jason Mohns, the desperation for stability was real. Kelly was dismissed following the 2025 season, and the Scottsdale Unified School District conducted what they called a lengthy coaching search.

Ronquillo is no stranger to building something from nothing. He took over at Yelm in 2013 and turned a program that hadn't sniffed the playoffs in over three decades into state champions by 2022. The Tornados returned to the title game in 2023 before falling to Bellevue. That kind of patience and program-building is exactly what Saguaro needs right now.

He stepped down from Yelm last May and spent the 2025 season as an assistant at Gilbert High, getting acclimated to Arizona football. According to the district, Ronquillo's leadership philosophy centers on excellence, accountability, and character.

The coaching carousel at Saguaro has been dizzying. Since Mohns left to join Arizona State's staff, the Sabercats cycled through Zak Hill, who won a 6A title in his only season before bolting to the Seattle Seahawks, then Kelly. Key players transferred and assistant coaches scattered.

Saguaro owns 14 state football championships dating back to 1995. SUSD Athletic Director Stephen Cervantez expressed confidence the program will compete at the highest level again under Ronquillo's direction.

Sources: SI High School | Arizona Republic/Yahoo Sports | East Valley Tribune | Wikipedia