Ty Wisdom has been hired to replace retiring Rick Garretson as the next Chandler High School football coach.This is Wisdom’s second stint in Arizona.He coached at Horizon and Desert Vista, before returning to Nebraska, where this past season he led Millard South in Omaha to a state championship. It was the school’s first state title […]
Ty Wisdom has been hired to replace retiring Rick Garretson as the next Chandler High School football coach.This is Wisdom’s second stint in Arizona.He coached at Horizon and Desert Vista, before returning to Nebraska, where this past season he led Millard South in Omaha to a state championship. It was the school’s first state title in 15 years.The Chandler Unified School District announced the Wisdom hire in a news release on Friday. The hiring is pending governing board approval.
Wisdom, who grew up in Nebraska and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearny, was an assistant coach at Surprise Valley Vista and head coach at Horizon and Desert Vista.
“I am truly honored and excited to be named the head football coach at Chandler High School,” Wisdom said in a text message. “The program has a rich tradition of excellence, and I am eager to build upon its strong foundation.”
He led Horizon to the first Open Division state playoffs in 2019, losing to Scottsdale Saguaro in the quarterfinals.
Desert Vista and Wisdom agreed to part ways following the 2022 season. He spent the last two seasons leading Millard South, which went 12-1 this year.
Wisdom posted on X a farewell message to Millard South on Friday afternoon thanking the school “for the incredible opportunity.”
Wisdom takes over one of the most highly regarded programs in the state. Chandler built a dynasty behind Shaun Aguano (now the running backs coach at Arizona State) and Garretson, winning five consecutive state championships from 2016-20, and finishing runnerup in the Open in 2021.”I look forward to working with the talented student-athletes, dedicated staff, and supportive community to continue the legacy of success,” Wisdom said. “Together, we will strive for greatness both on and off the field.”Garretson took over the program from Aguano in 2019, leading the Wolves to the first two Open state championships.This past Chandler team was the first time the Wolves didn’t make it to the Open. They went 5-6 and lost to Gilbert Perry 27-24 in the first round of the 6A playoffs.Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. He also covers Grand Canyon University athletics and the Arizona Rattlers. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert