Apache Junction football coach Justin MacDonald resigned last week, citing a need to spend more time with family.
MacDonald wrote in an e-mail on Tuesday afternoon that he's leaving education.
"I'm pursuing other paths that will allow me to create the family climate and structure that my family needs," he said. "It's about being present for the moments in my boys' lives and my wife's life that we can never get back."
MacDonald and his wife have three boys under age 5, including an infant who was born almost immediately when he was hired by A.J.
MacDonald was 2-8 in 2011, his only season as coach at the school. He was hired when former coach Rich Milligan (currently the school's freshman coach) stepped down last spring. Before taking over the program in March 2011, MacDonald was the defensive coordinator at A.J. from 2006-2008. He also worked as an assistant at Desert Ridge, Gilbert and Fountain Hills. Prior to his return to A.J. he was an offensive line coach at Mesa Community College.
The position is posted on Apache Junction's school district website, and school district spokesman Brian Kilgore, it will close on Friday. A hiring is expected by the end of this month. The current staff has run spring practices as well as strength and conditioning.
The position is posted on Apache Junction's school district website, and school district spokesman Brian Kilgore, it will close on Friday. A hiring is expected by the end of this month. The current staff has run spring practices and conditioning regiments.
According to Kilgore, Milligan is not interested in being a candidate for the position.
Mark Heller is the East Valley Tribune sports editor. He can be reached at mheller@evtrib.com or (480) 898-6576.
DPY posted at 9:05 pm on Wed, May 9, 2012.
Good Luck Coach Mac.
You took care of my son at Gilbert and you would've turned it around at AJ too. Family is number one, enjoy time with your kids!