Chaparral head football leaving for position at Arizona

Back on November 22nd Rich Rodriguez was officially announced as the new head coach of the Arizona Wildcat football team. While at the press conference, there was one Arizona high school head coach that was singled out by name in a story told by Arizona Athletic Director Greg Byrne. That coach was Chaparral head coach Charlie Ragle. 

The following is the video of Ragle’s name being mentioned during the press conference.

That day, Ragle’s name being mentioned might have gone over the heads of those in attendance but days after, his name continuously was rumored to join Rich Rodriguez’s staff.

Tuesday, it was official and Charlie Ragle joined Brad Cesmat and the “Big Guy on Sports” Show to officially announce that he will be joining the Wildcat Staff in Operations and recruiting including acting as a leas-on with high school football coaches in Arizona.

“I am an Arizona High School Coach and what better way to establish relationships than with one of their own,” Ragle told Brad Cesmat on “Big Guy on Sports.” 

Ragle spent five years at Chaparral where he has won three consecutive state championships.

“Chaparral is a special place and will always be in my heart and I’ll always be a firebird,” Ragle mentioned. “I have career plans and goals and aspirations and this is a part of the process to take the next step.”

That step Ragle has now taken has been something that has been talked about over the last couple years. He interviewed with former Arizona State Head Coach Dennis Erickson about a similar position which Ragle said, “ We had a good group returning and I wanted to finish what started at Chaparral.”

Ragle also mentioned that new ASU Head Coach Todd Graham reached out as well and offered him a job. 

In the end, Arizona was the right fit for Ragle and his future plans.

“Ultimately I would like to be in a position where I can coach on the field and this is a step in the right direction,” Ragel explained Brad Cesmat on Tuesday. “I have had an ongoing relationship with Coach Rodriguez for many years now. I believe in what they are doing down there.”

One of the burning questions regarding high school football in Arizona over the last couple years has been the fact that U of A and ASU have not been able to keep the top in-state recruits in state. This is something Ragle has seen first hand and eluded to during the interview.

“I want to keep the Arizona kids in state and bring them all to the University of Arizona.”

Charlie Ragle on ‘Big Guy on Sports’

One of his Firebirds, Devonte Neal, is one of the top players in the state and is yet to committ to a school. Though not mentioned by name, Brad Cesmat asked Ragle if a certain Wide Receiver might now be interested in Arizona after now being named to the Wildcat staff.

Ragle’s response, “I would hope so.”

For more on Arizona High School Sports, follow Jared Cohen on Twitter at @JaredPros2Preps.