Arizona high school football’s loss is Arizona Christian University’s gain.

The north Phoenix-based educational institution is following in Grand Canyon University’s footsteps and climbing the athletic latter, only in NAIA, not NCAA.

The team recently hired away Donnie Yantis from Phoenix Paradise Valley to be the football team’s first head coach.

Yantis followed that up by hiring some quality prep coaches from around the Valley to be his assistants, leaving a big void at their respective schools.

Joining the Firestorm staff will be former Avondale Westview coach Jeff Bowen, former Anthem Boulder Creek coach Dan Friedman, and Phoenix Horizon defensive coordinator Willie Dudley, who formerly was head coach at Tempe Marcos de Niza, Marana and Phoenix Scottsdale Chiristian.

These guys are quality coaches and quality individuals. Yantis did a great job with their selections, and I have no dobut that ACU will eventually become a force.

As for the high schools left behind, they will be trying to fill some big shoes. Let’s hope they can continue to lead the programs in the same way they were previously guided.

Best wishes to all.