Thomas Cogdell is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Chandler Preparatory Academy for AZpreps365.com

Chandler Preparatory Academy head coach Frank Peake has seen desert warzones and green fields. For most, football is a game of inches, but for him, it is a game of life. 

Growing up in Charleston, S.C., Peake did not initially have coaching in mind as a career choice. After graduating from high school, he had his eyes set on leading men into battle and not onto football fields, but it is just one experience that shaped him into the leader he is today. 

“I think my time in the Marines certainly helps with the leadership aspects of being a head coach,” Peake said. “Marines are trained to lead, be relentless, adapt and overcome adversity. All things we run into as coaches and what we are teaching our players.”  

Whether leading or losing, Peake embodies a relentless spirit on the sideline.  

When asked to describe Peake in one word, “relentless” is precisely what senior quarterback Nolan Kemper said.

After a big score, he remains stoic with a small smile and hands crossed behind his back but he is quick to critique if he believes a referee missed a call. This not only keeps his players in pursuit of the end zone but allows them to focus on the game while he fixates on its details.  

“Coach Peake is a lead-by-example type and wouldn’t expect the kids to do something that he wouldn’t hold himself to,” Chandler Prep athletic director Anthony Jones said. “Coach Peake is a former Marine, and that military background has been helpful to demonstrate leadership to the boys and the expectation of a standard that is needed, plus the importance of teamwork, so these young men are learning traits that can be successful not only in football but outside of sports as well. I see a lot of our young men being great students and leaders on our campus and have seen them develop leadership skills that have translated to other sports as well. Most importantly, I never see or hear our boys being issues in our community or at school, and a lot of that can be attributed to Coach Peake and the standard he sets for them.”  

While a victory is what Peake hopes for each Friday, he strives for his players to win in the classroom every day. Before practice, the Chandler Prep team participates in a mandatory study hall where students of all grade levels gather to improve team chemistry and scholastic studies.   

“We sit in a classroom together as a team. Get our homework done, and when we have extra time, we watch film together,” Kemper said. “It’s really helpful because we're making sure no one gets deficiency. You have everyone from freshman to senior year in there taking the same courses, so there is a lot of mentoring going on there, a lot of team bonding, and just making sure everyone is on top of their grades.” 

On top of success in coaching, Peake has used his relentless spirit to propel himself to success in his business, Pride Community Management, where he is president and CEO. 

“It is a little more difficult not being a teacher/coach as I am not on campus, but being self-employed allows me the flexibility to be there as much as is needed to support my players and the program,” Peake said.  

On and off the field, Peake’s leadership is apparent. Through warzones and onto clean-cut grass, the stoic commander of the Titans has produced productive players and eager students.