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THE CHANDLER ARIZONAN | WWW.CHANDLERNEWS.COM | JUNE 13, 2021
Chandler football reeling after coach’s death BY ZACH ALVIRA Arizonan Sports Editor
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hris Chick was more than just an offensive line coach for the Chandler Wolves. He was a beloved friend and mentor to all that came into contact with him over the course of his career. Chandler head football coach Rick Garretson said Chick had been dealing with some health-related issues that stemmed from last football season. But in the last month he had started to struggle. Garretson spoke with Chick on May 26 and that he wasn’t feeling well. On May 27, Chick’s father told Garretson he had passed away. He was 42. “When you get that type of news, it’s obviously knee-dropping,” Garretson said. “It’s a sad situation. He’s a really loved guy in our program but he’s really well-loved in the Arizona high school football community, too.” Chick graduated from Saguaro High School in 1998, where he received allcity and all-state honors as a senior. As a junior, he helped lead the Sabercats to the 1995 state football and basketball championships. He went on to play at Mesa Community College before transferring to Cal-Berkeley to continue his career. He returned to the Valley after college and began coaching at Saguaro in 2006. He served as the strength and conditioning coach and run-game coordinator for the Sabercats until 2011, winning five state titles during that six-year span. Chick joined Chandler’s coaching staff as the strength and conditioning coach and run-game coordinator in 2012 under then-head coach Shaun Aguano. Over the course of his nine seasons with the Wolves, he helped lead them to six state titles – five of which in the last five years. Aguano, who is now the running backs coach at Arizona State, said on Twitter,
to the things you were passionate about,” he added. “Thank you for always being on the other end of a conversation even if it seemed like it would never end. Love you brother.” Garretson informed the players of Chick’s passing on Thursday. As expected, the news wasn’t taken lightly. Several current and former Chandler players have since taken to social media to reflect on Chick’s unexpected death. Tevai Neher, who played his last season on the Chandler offensive line under Chick in 2020, recalled some of the long phone conversations he and his coach would have. “We spent hours on the phone talking about The death of Chandler run-game coordinator and offensive line coach Chris Chick, pictured with Sione Hingano and Tevai Neher, sent shockwaves throughout the Arizona high school football com- schemes, technique, (and) munity May 26. (Corey Cross Photography) how we can better ourselves as a team,” Neher said. “No one will understand how much Chandler wouldn’t have won champion- improvement of one of his players or the ships if it weren’t for Chick. Garretson offensive line as a whole. Or he would you did for us. RIP to THE greatest (ofagreed. rave about one of Chandler’s skill play- fensive line) coach in AZ.” Kyion Grayes, a soon-to-be senior for “He is the best in-game run coordina- ers or defensive linemen they had troutor I have ever been around,” Garretson ble blocking in practice. But there were the Wolves, thanked Chick for all he had said. “He’s a guy who really knows how times, however, where he simply wanted done for the team. “This one hurt,” Grayes said. “Rest easy to dissect a run-game while in a game, to learn more about whoever he was coach Chick you will be missed thank which isn’t easy to do. Shaun’s com- speaking to. ments were spot on. We don’t win those He always took the time to get to know you for everything.” Garretson said he and the rest of championships without Chick. He was a those he came into contact with on a big part of those six titles.” personal level, which is one of the main the Chandler football community will Chick’s legacy will undoubtedly in- reasons he was beloved by his players, mourn the loss of Chick together and volve more than just his accolades on coaches, parents and even at times, op- move forward with his legacy forever on their minds and in their hearts. the football field as both a player and ponents. “He will be missed, there’s no quescoach. He went out of his way to make “I’m so heartbroken to hear of your everyone – including members of the passing,” Saguaro defensive line coach tion,” Garretson said. “Our hearts are media – feel welcome. A simple, ‘hello,’ Kyle Caldwell wrote. Caldwell coached broken, and we are going to support would often turn into a long, heartfelt the Sabercats alongside Chick. The two each other as a community and try to move ourselves forward.” conversation about whatever was on his grew close during their time together. Chick is survived by his father, Bill. Fumind that day. “So many great memories together. Often times, he would gush over the Such an impact you made when it came neral arrangements are still underway.
