Connor Moreno is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Gilbert Christian High School for AZPreps365.com

There are some notable ‘firsts’ for Gilbert Christian football this season. For coach John Carlson, it is his first time coaching high school football. For the Knights, it is their first year in the 3A alignment after seven seasons competing in 2A. 

Though this season presented drastic changes, Carlson and defensive coordinator Peter Heintz have implemented a joint philosophy to ensure that their team’s culture remains astute and in line with the school’s values. 

Dating back to when Heintz joined the Knights in 2020, the team was 14-1 overall in 2A region play. 

“We’ve had a pretty high level of play on the field in past years,” Heintz said. “Internally, our philosophy has been good this year – focusing on our effort, attitude and players (being) the best teammates they can be.”

Prior to arriving at Gilbert Christian, Heintz spent time at Benjamin Franklin Charter School and Milwaukee Lutheran High School. His near-20-year high school coaching experience is what made Carlson feel comfortable keeping him on as the only returnee on the staff. 

It may be Carlson’s first time coaching high school football, but it’s just another chapter of his football career. After four years at the University of Notre Dame, he enjoyed a seven-year career as a tight end in the NFL – playing for the Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Arizona Cardinals. 

Throughout his career in football, from high school to the NFL, Carlson believes that the principles of what makes a great team are universal throughout all levels of the sport.

“What we’re trying to do is partner with these young men and their parents in developing their character and helping them become the best football players they can be,” Carlson said. “The hope is that we help them develop skills that translate to life – resilience, being humble and being hungry.”

The attitude of his players is important to the culture that Carlson hopes to build at Gilbert Christian.

Heintz and Carlson derive many aspects of their coaching philosophy from mentors they’ve played for or coached with throughout their careers. 

“There’s a conglomeration of different people and things that fit within my belief system and philosophy,” Heintz said. 

Carlson reflected on the many esteemed coaches he played for, mentioning the likes of Tyrone Willingham and Charlie Weis at Notre Dame and the five he had in his seven pro years – Mike Holmgren, Jim Mora, Pete Carroll, Leslie Frazier and Bruce Arians.

“I think any coach is a blend of all the coaches they’ve experienced in their coaching and playing career,” Carlson said. “It’s fun to be able to pull experiences within our staff and figure out how to use what we’ve learned and try to invest in these young men and help them evolve their character.”

Although it is their first season coaching together, both coaches rely on their shared experiences to connect with each other and the rest of their staff. Another major facet of their philosophy is their shared Christian faith. 

“We all want to be fierce competitors, and by no means does being a Christian mean we can’t do that,” Heintz said. “We also want to treat our players, competitors, referees and everyone around us with the respect that they are human beings, too. We have something greater to look forward to if we don’t win, but we can still compete to the greatest of our abilities and do the best we can.”

“As coaches our faith is essential to who we are and how we try to live our life,” Carlson said. “That’s why we’re here. We’re here to serve these kids and glorify God in the process.”

The ambition that Carlson and Heintz coach with and the doctrine they try to instill in their students is inspiring. It is evident in the passion that is played on the football field. 

Through eight games this season, the Knights have a 5-3 record and have outscored their opponents by 110 points. Wins are backed by the fervor of the players and losses are never given up easily. With playoffs on the horizon, the coaches aren’t only focused on the results of the rest of their season, but on the long-lasting impact they can have on the young men that come through their program. 

“We want to win out and make the playoffs, then it’s one week at a time,” Heintz said. “Just have to get in the tournament and get that 11th game and try to keep going in the playoffs.”

“As football coaches, you’re always talking about finish – finish the play, finish the drive, finish the practice, finish the game, finish the season,” Carlson said. “We want them to see it through to the end… we hope that their time with us prepares them to be great husbands and fathers and contributors in our society to make a positive difference in our world through their faith and the way they live.”

Whether it be through personal experience or their faith in God, Heintz and Carlson aim to be a small part of who every young man that goes through their program grows up to be. And in the process, they want to make sure that the Gilbert Christian football program maintains that consistent culture all throughout.