Opinion: Trace Carroll is the perfect fit for Chaparral football

By Zach Alvira

Head of Content

The Chaparral football program found itself in murky waters early into the new year. And for weeks, it looked like the Firebirds wouldn’t get out of it.

Doug Nisenson stepped down as head coach in February, taking on the VP of Sales & Marketing role for StrongSide, an application that creates an interactive experience for coaches and assist with playbook development.

The position was posted soon after, with administration hopeful the Chaparral name would draw in big-name candidates.

But the program was a powerhouse no more. Gone were the days where candidates would line up outside of the administration office, hopeful for the opportunity to plead their case why they would be the best fit for the program.

Instead, after weeks of searching, the job was reposted. Then it was reposted again.

Finally, after nearly two months, Chaparral found its guy in alum Trace Carroll, who most recently served as the passing game coordinator at Pinnacle. For someone with no previous head coaching experience, it’s about as close to a home run hire as Chaparral could get.

“This job is everything for myself and my family,” Carroll said. “I have aunts and uncles who graduated from here, my sisters and brother all graduated from here. This is home. My dad has been the PA announcer on Friday night since 2002. I couldn’t be more blessed to lead this program.”

Carroll knows Arizona high school football, and specifically Chaparral.

He played for the firebirds under Ron Esterbrook and Charlie Ragle, who is now the associate head coach at Arizona State. As a senior in 2008-09, Carroll helped the Firebirds reach the state title game. 

Carroll began coaching soon after his playing career ended and worked his way up to offensive coordinator at Chaparral. He coached running backs at Mountain Pointe for a year under Rich Wellbrock before landing at Pinnacle.

Carroll brings passion, energy and a vibe that relates to his players. They enjoy playing for him and always do so at a high level no matter the outcome of the game.

He exudes confidence, something the Chaparral program needs after going 8-22 the last three seasons. Mind you, this is a program that was the 6A runner-up in 2021 and the 6A champions the year prior.

The descent from the top was quick and far from painless. Coach Brent Barnes departed for Oklahoma. Players left the program. A Sports Illustrated article essentially outed Chaparral for giving special treatment and monetary benefits for players from South Phoenix to attend the North Scottsdale school. 

Nisenson got the players that remained to play hard for him, but it didn’t result in wins.

Carroll can come in and change the narrative of the program. It may be a slow climb back to the top. Maybe the Firebirds won’t be what they were when Ragle, Dave Huffine or Brent Barnes led the charge.

But becoming a respectable program once again is very much in reach. Chaparral alum and current Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham thinks so, too.

“As former teammates and proud alumni, I know he will bring his passion, heart and dedication to the program like no one else can,” Dillingham wrote in the statement released by Chaparral. Chaparral is in great hands with Coach Carroll at the helm, and I can’t wait to see the amazing impact he will have on the team and the entire community.”

And Chaparral took a step toward doing so by avoiding falling into a similar situation as Verrado in the West Valley, where players are still left in limbo after Jeremy Hathcock departed for Mesa and Brett Davis from Tonopah Valley was the top candidate … until he wasn’t.

Parents and players blocked the hire, as did the schoolboard. There was hope Hathcock would return, but when he showed up on Mesa’s campus two weeks ago it was all lost.

Now Verrado is left with no head coach just a month and some change out from spring ball beginning. It’s far from an ideal situation, and one that could result in the program taking a deep dive after reaching the 5A semifinals last year.

Chaparral was on the same path, but administration righted the ship. Now it’s up to Carroll to right it even more.

I think he will get it done.

“The biggest thing we need to do right away is get the community by in back around this program,” Carroll said. “We have a great feeder team and great kids in our program. The turnaround is going to be a lot faster than some think, but we as a staff have to be ready to put our foot down and get going.”