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Joe Germaine returning to his roots as Mtn View head coach

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

It’s been nearly two decades since Joe Germaine donned a Mountain View football Jersey.

The last time he did, he was a senior quarterback for the Toros and led them to the 1993 state championship. Germaine went on to star at Ohio State, winning the 1997 Rose Bowl with the Buckeyes, and was drafted into the NFL.

But now, several years later, Germaine is once again sporting the school’s iconic “MV” logo. This time, it’s as head coach.

“It feels great, I feel honored to be here,” Germaine said. “This is home for me. I played for Jesse Parker, one of the great legends of coaching who made a great impact on my life. So to come back and be a part of what I grew up doing, it means a lot.”

The logo, which has the letters ‘M’ and ‘V’ intertwined with the horns of a Toro, is more than just that to Mountain View faithful. For many, it represents the rich history of the school since its opening in 1997. To the football program, it represents its seven state championships — �ive by former coach Jesse Parker, who the football �ield at Mountain View was named after in 2016, one year before Parker died.

For Germaine, the logo represents several things, including his childhood. He grew up just down the street from Mountain View and watched the program and city grow over the years. He played under Parker and helped capture his former coach’s fourth and �inal state title while leading the Mountain View program. Those championships also cemented Mountain View’s legacy as one of the most dominant programs in the state in the 1990s.

“There is a football tradition here at Mountain View that is as rich as any program in the state,” Germaine said. “We are all fortunate to be a part of it. We aren’t going to measure our success on programs in the past. We are going to be who we are.”

Germaine was hired in April after Mountain View parted ways with former coach Mike Fell. In Four seasons as head coach, Fell led the Toros to a 29-23 overall record cord before he suffered a should’ve been in the playoffs last year but broken collarbone. as our coaches say, we have to be forgetful Now a senior, he aims and move on. No excuses. We have to put to pick up where he left everything out there and leave no regrets.” off with his injury. And Mountain View recently began its sumwith Germaine — a for- mer program, lifting weights at the school mer quarterback at the and practicing at nearby Stapley Junior highest level — now High while a new turf practice and game leading the charge, he �ield is installed at the high school. A new has seen improvement video board will also be installed at Jesse in his overall ability un- Parker Field. der center. The renovations have brought excite“He’s helping me be ment to the program and surrounding the best quarterback I community. But with that, also comes high can be,” Roberts said. expectations. For now, Germaine remains “We are working really focused on continuing to build chemistry hard right now. (Ger- with his new players. maine) demands us to “We are learning new systems on all Joe Germaine, who won a state championship with Mountain View in 1993, returned to his alma mater as head coach of the football program and hopes to once again establish it as an indo the right thing in and outside of football. It’s nice to have somethree phases of the game, so there is a big learning curve right now,” Germaine said. “I think our mindset right now is to just state power. (Zach Alvira/Tribune Sta ) one who has won state get accustomed to the new way we are dochampionships here and ing things. I thought our spring was very and made three playoff appearances. who has won Rose Bowls. He knows how productive and I hope we can continue to

Germaine’s career as a coach took off to win, and he can help us win, too.” draw our team closer together. when he was hired at Queen Creek. He Roberts is one of several returning start- “That will be an important factor this coached the Bulldogs to the 4A state ers for Mountain View this upcoming sea- summer.”  championship in 2012. He stepped down son. On offense, junior tight end Jackson to offensive coordinator shortly after and Bowers will provide a weapon for Roberts let Travis Schureman take over. But in on the outside. At 6-foot-5, Bow2019, Germaine again took over as head ers has already received several coach after Schureman stepped down to Division I offers, including from an assistant position. Arizona State, Arizona, Utah,

The Bulldogs went 15-7 in the 6A Con- Michigan State and Georgia Tech. ference with Germaine in his second stint But where Mountain View will as head coach. Schureman was promoted likely thrive next season is on to once again take over Queen Creek after its defense. Malaki Ta’ase, who Germaine’s departure. emerged as one of the state’s top

Upon meeting the Mountain View play- defensive ends last season, reers for the �irst time, he asked what the turns for his senior year. Suliasi logo meant to them. Uasike, who helped Ta’ase wreak

“When I see that logo, it causes an emo- havoc on opposing offensive tion inside of me,” Germaine said. “It was lines, also returns. great to hear all of their responses. It’s im- As a whole, Mountain View’s portant to them.” defense combined for 41 sacks in

Germaine has taken all of Mountain last year’s shortened season. And View’s quarterbacks under his wing this despite �inishing 6-2, they missed season, including returning starter and the playoffs. Uasike said they’ve soon-to-be senior Willy Roberts. entered the offseason hungrier Soon-to-be senior quarterback Willy Roberts has Roberts shared time at quarterback as a sophomore before emerging as the starter last season. He led the Toros to a 6-0 refor success than in year’s past. “We have a chip on our shoulder,” Uasike said. “We feel like we benefi tted from Germaine’s coaching so far this spring and into the summer. He said there’s a new mindset with the program overall. (Zach Alvira/Tribune Sta )

THE MESA TRIBUNE | JUNE 6, 2021

Chandler football reeling after coach’s death

BY ZACH ALVIRA

Tribune Sports Editor

Chris 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 all-city 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 �ive 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 – �ive of which in the last �ive years.

Aguano, who is now the running backs coach at Arizona State, said on Twitter, Chandler wouldn’t have won championships if it weren’t for Chick. Garretson agreed.

“He is the best in-game run coordinator I have ever been around,” Garretson said. “He’s a guy who really knows how to dissect a run-game while in a game, which isn’t easy to do. Shaun’s comments were spot on. We don’t win those championships without Chick. He was a big part of those six titles.”

Chick’s legacy will undoubtedly involve more than just his accolades on the football �ield as both a player and coach. He went out of his way to make everyone – including members of the media – feel welcome. A simple, ‘hello,’ would often turn into a long, heartfelt conversation about whatever was on his mind that day.

Often times, he would gush over the improvement of one of his players or the offensive line as a whole. Or he would rave about one of Chandler’s skill players or defensive linemen they had trouble blocking in practice. But there were times, however, where he simply wanted to learn more about whoever he was speaking to.

He always took the time to get to know those he came into contact with on a personal level, which is one of the main reasons he was beloved by his players, coach-

The death of Chandler run-game coordinator and o ensive line coach Chris Chick, pictured with Sione Hingano and Tevai Neher, sent shockwaves throughout the Arizona high school football community May 26. (Corey Cross Photography)

es, parents and even at times, opponents.

“I’m so heartbroken to hear of your passing,” Saguaro defensive line coach Kyle Caldwell wrote. Caldwell coached the Sabercats alongside Chick. The two grew close during their time together.

“So many great memories together. Such an impact you made when it came 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 re�lect 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 schemes, technique, (and) how we can better ourselves as a team,” Neher said. “No one will understand how much you did for us. RIP to THE greatest (offensive line) coach in AZ.”

Kyion Grayes, a soon-to-be senior for the Wolves, thanked Chick for all he had done for the team.

“This one hurt,” Grayes said. “Rest easy coach Chick you will be missed thank you for everything.”

Garretson said he and the rest of the Chandler football community will mourn the loss of Chick together and move forward with his legacy forever on their minds and in their hearts.

“He will be missed, there’s no question,” Garretson said. “Our hearts are broken, and we are going to support each other as a community and try to move ourselves forward.”

Chick is survived by his father, Bill. Funeral arrangements are still underway. 

Have an interesting sports story? Contact Zach Alvira at zalvira@timespublications.com and follow him on Twitter @ZachAlvira.