Mesa HS hires former MCC coach Ryan Felker to lead football program

Ryan Felker will be the next Mesa High School head football coach, pending approval from the Mesa Public Schools' governing board on March 12.

Felker will keep Cam Stephenson as the defensive coordinator.

The Jackrabbits reached the 6A semifinals in Jeremy Hathcock's only season as Mesa's head coach. He left to lead Gilbert Perry's football program.

Mesa edge rusher Joe Haynie and quarterback Boogie Anetema were part of the interviewing committee.

They should anchor what is expected to be a strong team under Felker, who served as Chandler Basha's offensive coordinator two seasons ago.

Felker led Mesa Community College's program for seven seasons, going 41-32 and leading the Thunderbirds to four junior college bowl appearances, including the 2016 Valley of the Sun Bowl championship.

Felker is the third coach in three years at Mesa. He met with the players on March 5.

Mesa went 7-5 last season, but improved in the second half of the season when four key transfers from California became eligible. Two of them were brothers Boogie and Kingston Anetema. Kingston is a top receiver/defensive back.

Felker said Mesa's offense will look different under him.

"I'm more of an air raid guy," he said. "The Kingston kid, a two-way player, he's going to be electric for me."

The school issued a statement confirming the hire.

“We are excited to welcome Coach Felker and Coach Stephenson to lead our football program,” Mesa acting Principal Brad Cosseboom said in a news release. “Coach Felker’s proven leadership at both the high school and collegiate levels, combined with Coach Stephenson’s defensive expertise and experience at the highest levels of the game, will provide tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes.”

Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. 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

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former MCC coach Ryan Felker to lead Mesa High School football