Hudson Pischer is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Tempe High School for AZPreps365.com

TEMPE, Ariz. – Before Sean Freeman became the commanding voice on the Tempe High School football sideline, he was a young coach who admits he still had much to learn.

In his early coaching days, Freeman said he relied heavily on raising his voice to get his message across.

“I was a yeller,” Freeman said. “I was kind of a jerk.”

Years of experience later, Freeman has changed his approach while also not lowering expectations of his athletes. 

As the head coach of Tempe football, he still demands strong discipline and hard work, but has learned that coaching high school athletes requires a lot more than just raising his voice.

“I learned how I would want my son and daughter to be coached,” Freeman said. “I’m hard on some kids. I’m very tough as a coach, but my heart’s in the right place.”

The balance of discipline and motivation has helped define Freeman’s approach at Tempe, where his journey from being a local high school athlete to now a veteran coach has shaped the way he leads his players both on and off the field.

Freeman is a Mesa native who grew up surrounded by many sports, including Arizona’s own professional teams. He credited his grandfather for introducing him to football, baseball and basketball. He attended Westwood High School, where he played football and was apart of a state championship run.

His upbringing as a child has shaped his perspective as a coach. Freeman was raised primarily by his mother and grandparents.

After his playing career ended, Freeman began building his coaching resume. His path included stops at Marcos de Niza, Highland, Copper Canyon and Westwood before he eventually found himself at Tempe.

However, the Tempe job almost never happened.

After missing out on the head coach position at his alma mater, Westwood. Freeman said he was discouraged to apply for another head coaching job, but was encouraged by other coaches to take the chance on Tempe.

That decision allowed Freeman to build a culture centered on trust and accountability, as he took over a struggling Buffaloes team.

Freeman said he has learned that today’s athletes respond differently than players from previous generations. He adjusts his approach depending on what individual players need instead of sticking to one coaching method.

“You’ve got to adjust to the kids you have,” Freeman said. “They’ll want to run through a brick wall for you as long as you’re able to show them respect.”

That ability to connect with players has stood out to those inside the program.

“Coach Freeman has been great at welcoming everyone into the program and is excellent at getting everyone to buy in,” quarterback Jaleel West said. “As you can see, with the improved record this season, the sky’s the limit for him.”

Wide receiver Jaiden-Hart Rodriguez said Freeman’s demanding personality extends beyond football.

“Coach Freeman is a great coach and mentor because he is very vocal when things need to change,” Hart-Rodriguez said. “We respond well because we know his intentions are to push us to be our best selves both on and off the field.”

For Freeman, the most important part of his role is creating a family beyond the sport and building trust between everyone involved.

“I love these kids like they’re my own,” Freeman said. “Being someone that the kids can rely on when times are hard, but also someone that’s going to push them to be their best.”