Mica Mountain defensive coordinator Brett Darling earns Frank Broyles top assistant award

Darling led a dominant defense that helped the Thunderbolts repeat as 4A state champions.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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Brett Darling, the defensive coordinator for Mica Mountain High School's football team, has been named the Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year for Arizona for the second consecutive year. Darling's defense was instrumental in the Thunderbolts' repeat 4A state championship, allowing only 104 points all season and recording 91 tackles for loss, including 36.5 sacks.

Why it matters

The Frank Broyles Award is one of the most prestigious honors for assistant coaches in college and high school football, recognizing the vital role they play in a team's success. Darling's back-to-back wins highlight Mica Mountain's consistent defensive excellence and the program's ability to develop top-tier coaching talent.

The details

Under Darling's leadership, the Mica Mountain defense was dominant, recording five shutouts and holding opponents to an average of just 7.4 points per game. The Thunderbolts' defense was led by standout players like linebacker Broden Schmidt and defensive end Najean Anderson, who combined for 177 tackles and 54.5 tackles for loss. The secondary also played a key role, with 18 interceptions, including four by safety Nic Regina and three each by safety Riley Carson and cornerback Blake Beltz.

  • Mica Mountain won the 4A state championship in December 2025.
  • Darling earned his second consecutive Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award for Arizona in February 2026.

The players

Brett Darling

The defensive coordinator for Mica Mountain High School's football team, who has led a top defense in the state annually, including his years at Cienega High School with head coach Pat Nugent.

Broden Schmidt

A New Mexico-bound linebacker for Mica Mountain who recorded 159 tackles, including 18 for loss.

Najean Anderson

A defensive end for Mica Mountain who recorded 18 sacks.

Nic Regina

A safety for Mica Mountain who had four interceptions.

Riley Carson

A safety for Mica Mountain who had three interceptions.

Blake Beltz

A cornerback for Mica Mountain who had three interceptions.

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What’s next

Darling and the Mica Mountain coaching staff will look to lead the Thunderbolts to a third consecutive state championship in the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Mica Mountain's defensive excellence under coordinator Brett Darling has been a key factor in the program's sustained success, with the Thunderbolts winning back-to-back state titles and Darling earning the prestigious Frank Broyles Assistant Coach of the Year Award two years in a row.