Staff Reports
GLENDALE – Two iconic figures from Arizona’s Gila Valley — Don Conrad of Thatcher High School and Larry “Digger” O’Dell of Pima High School — were among five coaches inducted into the Arizona High School Athletic Coaches Hall of Fame during its 42nd class banquet on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Arrowhead Country Club in Glendale.
The ceremony honored coaches whose careers exemplified leadership, dedication, and the positive impact of high school athletics on generations of student-athletes. Conrad was recognized for his football (and baseball) success at Thatcher, while O’Dell was celebrated for a remarkable 50-year wrestling coaching career highlighted by his long tenure at Pima.
Don Conrad: Architect of Thatcher Football Excellence
Don Conrad dedicated nearly five decades to education, coaching, and athletic administration before retiring in 2021. A standout linebacker at Southern Utah State College (now Southern Utah University), he began his professional career in 1972. He arrived at Thatcher High School in 1995 as head baseball coach and football assistant, later becoming head football coach in 2000.
Under Conrad’s leadership, the Thatcher Eagles captured Arizona Class 2A state football championships in 2000, 2001, and 2006, along with seven regional titles. His innovative veer-option schemes and emphasis on discipline helped build one of the state’s most successful small-school programs. His baseball teams also reached the Class 2A state championship game in back-to-back seasons (2000 and 2001), and he also coached the school’s golf program.
Later in his career at Thatcher, Conrad served as dean of students, athletic director (2012–2018), and principal. He earned numerous accolades, including the Arizona Football Coaches Association Coach of the Year in 2001 and the Arizona Republic Small School Coach of the Year in 2006, as well as multiple regional honors. Colleagues and former players remember him as a tactician and mentor who shaped young men both on and off the field.
Digger O’Dell: A Wrestling Lifelong Passion
Larry “Digger” O’Dell brought a warrior’s spirit to coaching. After serving 13 months in Vietnam and earning two Purple Hearts, he used the G.I. Bill to attend Eastern Arizona Junior College — where he played football and wrestled — before earning a degree in special education from Arizona State University.
O’Dell began coaching in 1976 and spent more than 50 years in the sport, with stops at Thatcher, Round Valley, Kearny Ray, Show Low (10 years), Queen Creek Junior High, and—most notably—Pima High School for 25 years as head wrestling coach and assistant football coach. At Pima, his Roughriders won the 1996 state championship, earned additional state podium finishes (including runner-up and third-place team honors), and secured eight regional championships. His overall record stands at 315 wins with a winning percentage of 75%. He produced dozens of state placers and individual champions.
Beyond the mat, O’Dell served as an AIA state wrestling tournament director for nine years, an official for six years, and a member of the AIA Legislative Council. He was named conference Coach of the Year three times and an All-Star Wrestling Coach three times. In 2015, he was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, and in 2025, he served as Grand Marshal of the Arizona State Wrestling Tournament. The annual invitational wrestling event in Pima now bears his name in recognition of his lasting contributions.
Lasting Legacies in Arizona High School Sports
Conrad and O’Dell both have deep ties to the Gila Valley, with O’Dell even beginning his coaching journey at Thatcher. Their inductions highlight the strong tradition of coaching excellence in rural Arizona communities. While the Hall of Fame also welcomed Mike Woods (Hamilton baseball), Jeff Anderson (Dobson swimming), and Leonard Suarez (Bisbee cross country), the recognition of these two local icons resonated strongly with athletes, families, and coaches across the region.
Their careers underscore the profound role high school coaches play—not just in winning titles, but in building character, fostering discipline, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond the playing field or mat. For Don Conrad and Digger O’Dell, the Hall of Fame honor caps distinguished careers defined by perseverance, service, and an unwavering commitment to Arizona’s student-athletes.
