By Kyle Odegard
East Valley Tribune
Saguaro football coach John Sanders has been fired, he confirmed Thursday.
He was called into a meeting with the school's administration on Wednesday afternoon and told of the decision.
Sanders said he asked if it had to do with the decision to rest starters in the regular season finale against Chaparral, and he was told no. No reason was given for the decision.
The Sabercats have won two consecutive state championships and four in five years under his guidance. Sanders was 62-7 as coach and was the team's defensive coordinator in 2006 when it went 13-1 and won the 4A-I championship.
The Saguaro players were told on Thursday morning. Sanders was given the opportunity to tell his players he resigned, but he refused.
"Our team is about trust," he said. "I wasn't going to lie to them."
Sanders said he is still interested in coaching and will apply for vacancies. Dobson, Westwood and Gilbert have openings.
"Don't let the gray hair fool you," Sanders said. "I love to coach."
Chaparral has an opening, too, after coach Charlie Ragle left to for an administrative role at the University of Arizona, but Sanders won't apply for that one. The Firebirds and Sabercats are rivals.
Saguaro principal Brian Corte could not immediately be reached for comment.
