Ryan Freeman's chance to become a head football coach was not unlike Max Ragsdale's move from coach to athletic director about a month ago at Campo Verde.

The timing and place were just right.

Freeman was selected Campo Verde's second head football coach in the school's history officially on Tuesday where he succeeds Ragsdale as leader of the Coyotes.

"I've followed Max for 15 years at AJ (Apache Junction), Mesquite and Campo Verde," Freeman said. "I know Max wasn't reall ywanting to become an AD yet, but when the opening came up at Campo Verde he thought it was a job he couldn't pass up going for. I've had the itch to be a head coach the last year or two. I felt I needed to scratch that itch. With Max leaving I thought this was the perfect situation for me to go for."

"This is a good time in our family's life," Freeman said. "My kids are 6 and 9 and attend the elementary school just down the street. There are so many good things that come from this opportunity.

Freeman has coached with Ragsdale since 2004 at AJ. He's been Campo Verde's defensive coordinator for nine of the 11 years the Coyotes have competed at the varsity level.  

Freeman said he will meet with players later today and with the other coaching staff members at all levels to see where they are at going forward and if they are OK. He is anxious to get going.

"I know he's fired up," Ragsdale said of his teaching counterpart in the social studies department. "He's earned his stripes. I'm happy for him to get this opportunity."

Having also coached girls track for six years, girls wrestling for two and helping out with boys wrestling for nine years before that at Campo, Freeman is eager to see if those experiences transfer well to football.

Giving up his coordinator duties is something he'll do. He may want the defense to be a run a certain way, but a new coordinator will be in charge.

"As a head coach I think if your attention is in too many places, nothing gets done right," Freeman said...

"Another benefit is having Max still here as mentor. I'm sure there will be times I will seek his advice."