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MEET THE COACHES

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HEAD COACH, RYAN McBRAYER

Born in Tucson in 1989, Ryan played for Sabino High School from 2003-2006. He played for 2 state championship runner up teams before going on to the University of Arizona to get his degree in history and Spanish.  Coach McBrayer is entering his 8th year as the head coach with a 57-19 record after serving the previous 3 as the defensive coordinator. He also teaches history and weight training at Sabino. Coach McBrayer has been married to his wife Victoria for 5 years. Together they have a 3 year old daughter, Millie, and 1 year old, Jameson. They can all be found at the Sabino football field rooting on the Sabercats every Friday!

VARSITY DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR, MIKE WELLS

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VARSITY QUARTERBACKS COACH, COLLIN McBRAYER

Collin McBrayer is entering his seventh season coaching for the Sabino High School football team. This will be his 8th season as a Varsity assistant coach. Coach Collin's played High School football at Sabino from 2006-2009 and concluded with him starting at tight end for the 2009 Sabino state finalist team. He follows in tradition of Sabino standouts giving back to the program. Coach Collin serves as the quarterback coach for the varsity program. 

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VARSITY O-LINE COACH, BAHAREN PEREZ

Baharen Perez enters his 8th season as both the varsity O Line and defensive ends coach. Coach Baha played 4 years at Cholla High School before graduating in 2009. He started his coaching journey immediately upon graduation when he accepted the offensive line position at Cholla, where he served from 2009-2012. He has worn many hats in his career, from a JV Head Coach to defensive Coordinator. In his spare time he enjoys rooting for the Arizona Cardinals. 

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VARSITY DBs & WRs, JASON WELCH

Coach Jason is coaching in his 7th season at Sabino this year. After coaching the Sabino secondary for his first 6 years, he will make the transition to the offensive side of the ball to work with receivers. Coach Jason started his freshman year at Sabino before moving to Texas, where he starred as a two sport athlete. After high school, Jason went on to play basketball professionally in Germany. 

DEFENSIVE LINE & STC, DYLAN OPPELT

Born in South Bend, WA in 1991. Dylan played for Long Beach Wilson High School from 2006-2009. After graduating, he went on to coach at Royal HS from 2010-14. He would also coach at his alma mater Long Beach Wilson 2015-16), Claremont ('17), Rancho Verde ('18) and Palo Verde ('22). He received his degree in history in 2021 from Grambling State University in 2021 and his Masters in Secondary Education in 2024 from the University of Arizona. He teaches Middle School social studies at Borman K-8 on Davis Monthan Air Force Base. 

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RUNNING BACKS, DANNY NAVARRO

Coach Danny was born in Tucson, AZ and grew up between Tucson and Nogales, AZ. He graduated from Nogales High School where he was an All-State running back and a state medalist for track and field. After high school Coach Navarro attended and played football and ran track at Pima Community College. He has been coaching youth and high school football and track for 15 years. Coach Navarro is also the Head Coach and founder of United Athletics of Southern Arizona. Coach is a proud father of 4 kids ages 2,6,12, and 17 and is the son of an immigrant mother. 2024 will be coach's first season with Sabino and is looking to add his experience to a prestigious winning culture!

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HEAD ATHLETIC TRAINER, MICHELLE GONZALEZ

Michelle Gonzalez begins her 5th year at Sabino as the Athletic Trainer, but she has been working as a certified athletic trainer since 1994.  With a bachelor's degree from Washington State University and a master’s degree from the University of Arizona, she’s served as President of the Arizona Athletic Trainer’s Association, as a Board of Director for the Rocky Mountain Athletic Trainer’s Association, and currently serves as a Board of Director for the National Athletic Trainer’s Association Research and Education Foundation.  Michelle’s children, Luis and Jasmine, are both Sabercats.

HEAD FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE COACH, ELI TRAINER

Graduate of the University of Arizona, Eli played high school football at Cactus Shadows in Cave Creek, AZ. After a season playing football at Occidental College in Burbank, CA he transferred to the University of Arizona to pursue a dual major in Anthropology and Computer Science. Starting in 2008, and until the end of the 2020 season, Coach Trainer was the head football coach of youth football teams in the Tucson Scorpions organization. He also served as the league president for 3 years. This will be Eli's 3rd year coaching the F/S team. He is married to Holland Trainer, whose support and deication to this sport allows him to pursue his passion. Eli and Holland have 5 children: Zakri, Max, Madi, Cailin, and Kalianna. 

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE O-LINE, MIKE BROWN

Michael Brown graduated from Chardon HS in 1988 in Chardon, OH. He played varsity football, was an avid skier, and played for the city travel baseball team. He served in the US Army 82nd Airborne Division immediately after high school. Upon returning from the Army, Mike played 10 years of club level hockey and 9 years of semipro football, winning a championship in both. He had over a decade of coaching both middle school and youth football before moving to the high school level. This will be his 8th season at Sabino. 

FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE DBs, ISAAC BANKS

Born in San Diego, CA in 1978, Isaac played for Sabino High School from 1992-1996. He was an All-State defensive back. After high school, he attended Eastern Arizona where he was a JUCO All- American. During the day he works as a salesman for an e-commerce company. 

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FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE WRs, JEREMY GIGSTAD

After playing 4 years at Sabino HS from 2018-21, Jeremy returns to Sabino for his 1st year coaching the Freshman and Sophomore wide receivers. Jeremy serves as a personal trainer at AZ Motivator: Elite Personal Training and Rehabilitation. 

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