Saguaro Hires Butch Goncharoff as New Football Coach

Veteran coach with championship pedigree takes over storied Arizona high school program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:51pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a fragmented, geometric interpretation of a high school football game, with sharp planes of maroon, green, and gray hues conveying the raw energy and competitive spirit of the sport.Saguaro High School's new football coach Butch Goncharoff faces the challenge of rebuilding the program's winning tradition.Scottsdale Today

Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona has hired Victor 'Butch' Goncharoff as its new head football coach. Goncharoff, who previously led the Bellevue High program in Washington to 11 state titles, will look to restore the Sabercats' past success after the team struggled the last two seasons.

Why it matters

Saguaro has been one of Arizona's premier high school football programs, winning 13 state championships since 2006. But the team has fallen on hard times recently, losing many players and coaches in the wake of a controversial incident involving the former principal. Goncharoff's hiring represents an effort to rebuild the Sabercats' dynasty.

The details

Goncharoff, who served as an assistant coach at Saguaro last season, has an impressive resume, compiling a 206-15 record as a high school head coach in Washington state. He led Bellevue High to 11 state titles from 2000-2016 before leaving amid an investigation into his program. Goncharoff later coached at Cedar Park Christian in Washington and was an XFL assistant. He faces a major challenge in restoring Saguaro's past success, as the team lost most of its starters after winning the 6A state title in 2023.

  • Saguaro's governing board approved Goncharoff's hiring on April 8, 2026.
  • Goncharoff previously coached high school football in Washington state from 2000 to 2016.

The players

Victor 'Butch' Goncharoff

Veteran high school football coach who was hired as the new head coach of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona. Goncharoff had a highly successful 16-year run as the head coach at Bellevue High in Washington, winning 11 state championships.

Darius Kelly

Former head coach of the Saguaro football team, who was fired after going 4-16 over two seasons.

Jason Ronquillo

Coach who was initially hired as Saguaro's new head football coach in February 2026, but stepped down a month later due to a personal issue.

Zak Hill

Quarterback who led Saguaro to the 6A state championship in 2023, before leaving the program.

Jason Mohns

Former Saguaro head coach who led the team to six straight state titles from 2013 to 2018, before leaving to become an assistant coach at Arizona State.

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What they’re saying

“'The Saguaro Football Program has a storied tradition filled with great coaches and great players. I am honored to be part of that tradition. I am excited about the upcoming season and cannot wait to get started.'”

— Victor 'Butch' Goncharoff, New Head Football Coach, Saguaro High School

What’s next

Goncharoff will look to quickly rebuild the Saguaro football program as spring practices begin in late April. The team lost most of its starters after winning the 6A state title in 2023, so Goncharoff faces a major challenge in restoring the Sabercats' past success.

The takeaway

Saguaro's hiring of Butch Goncharoff represents an effort to revive one of Arizona's premier high school football programs. Goncharoff's championship pedigree from his time in Washington gives the Sabercats hope of returning to their dynastic form, but he faces significant roster turnover and a program that has struggled the past two seasons.