What happens next for Dobson High School football after coach arrest?

Posted by author February 14, 2025 Football

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With coach Bill Godsil placed on administrative leave following his arrest on Thursday by the Surprise Police Department on the Mesa Dobson High School campus, questions surround the football program.

Who steps in to serve as during this time to lead the program?

What kind of fallout will there be for an already struggling program?

Godsil, who has led the program since 2019, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated luring of a minor for sexual exploitation and furnishing harmful items to minors, according to the Surprise police report.

The investigation is ongoing and did not involve Dobson students, according to Surprise police spokesman Chris Thomas.

Dobson Principal Gabbi Buckley told The Arizona Republic that she didn’t have any information to share now on who would be leading the football program, as the investigation continues.

Athletic Director Renee Regoli sent a letter to the football families on Friday afternoon indicating the school will look for a new coach.

Godsil came from Coolidge, where he turned a 2-8 season in 2017 into a 7-4 record and a 3A playoff berth in 2018, before taking the Dobson job.

Dobson, which hasn’t won a state football championship since 1987, went 3-7 in his first year there in 2019, followed by 2-6 (COVID-reduced), 4-5, 2-8, 1-9 and 2-8 seasons. The 5A team will be in a revamped Central Valley region next fall with Barry Goldwater, Ironwood, McClintock, Paradise Valley and Sunnyslope.

Last season, former Gilbert High head coach Derek Zellner was an assistant coach under Godsil at Dobson, his alma mater, where he was the quarterback of that 1987 Dobson team that beat Mesa Mountain View in the big-school state championship game.

On Thursday, Zellner was named the Arizona College Prep head football coach, pending approval by the Chandler Unified School District’s governing board.

Regoli shared her letter with The Republic. In it, she stated that she is working with Mesa Public Schools Athletic Director Tommy Eubanks and superintendent Dr. Andi Fourlis to put together a hiring timeline for the new coach.

She said Bryson Lanza, the team’s offensive coordinator, will continue working with the players in the offseason. Spring football starts in late April and early May. June is when teams compete in 7-on-7 passing and big men competitions.

She also said even though Zellner has accepted the ACP head coaching position, he will continue to work with the student-athletes in the weight room for the remainder of the school year.

Regoli wrote that she met with the players to assure they are supported through the uncertainty of the football program and that counselors and administrators are being made available if needed.

“Our student-athletes are our number one priority, and we are here to support them in any way we can,” Regoli wrote.

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert atrichard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert