Former ASU star Adam Archuleta joining Chaparral football rebuild

In the last two weeks, Scottsdale Chaparral football has used social media to announce new members of the coaching staff.

One that instantly popped out was Adam Archuleta, the former Chandler High, Arizona State and NFL standout, whose son Jett is a rising 2027 safety in the program.

"I love coaching," Archuleta said. "I think I'm good at it. I understand because I went through it. I kind of developed because it didn't come easy."

That's been Archuleta's football story, the underdog, proving people wrong wherever he went.

He was an all-state running back/defensive back for Jerry Loper at Chandler High before walking on as an undersized linebacker at Arizona State. He eventually gained a scholarship and started three years at linebacker, becoming the Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year in 2000. He was first-round NFL draft pick (20th overall by the St. Louis Rams) and had a good career as a safety.

At 46, he now does NFL game analysis for CBS Sports.

But, after being asked by head coach Doug Nisenson, Archuleta accepted the invitation to help with the team. He is the conditioning coach and defensive assistant coach on varsity.

"We're trying to figure out where the most advantageous place is to have him at," Nisenson said.

Nisenson recently hired a new offensive coordinator in former Notre Dame and Florida quarterback Malik Zaire, who formerly coached high school in California. Former Arizona player Colin Baxter was added as the offensive line coach. Former Phoenix Central offensive coordinator Mat Allen will be the wide receivers coach. He comes in with his son, Cam, a 2027 quarterback, who started every game on varsity at Central last year. Nisenson said he's not sure if Allen will have to sit out the first five games. But he said there will be competition for the quarterback job.

Those are just a few of the recent hires to the coaching staff.

"We have a lot of new coaches on the staff," Nisenson said. "There's still a couple from last year. But made some changes. It's just kind of a fresh start thing. There was a lot of craziness going on in this program before I got here, and even hereafter. It just kind of gives everybody a fresh start. I think it's a good thing."

The team is rebuilding itself after 2-8 in Nisenson's first season. He got a late start last year after arriving from Colorado in June.

Two top players — wide receiver Tristan Armstrong and offensive lineman Phoenix Jenkins — transferred to rival Saguaro in Scottsdale. In the middle of last season, 2027 quarterback Marcel Jones abruptly transferred to Saguaro.

It's a battle at every position, but Nisenson feels some good players returned to the program, who didn't play last year. Those remaining have bought in to build the program.

In 2020, Chaparral won the 6A state title and got back to the 6A final in 2021 under Brent Barnes. After a down season in 2022, Barnes move back to Oklahoma.

Now it's grind to get Chaparral back to elite status.

Archuleta is a good get, being involved as both a parent and coach. He gets it. He's not a helicopter parent. He wants to help everybody and he knows it has to be earned.

Getting players faster is No. 1 in Archuleta's book.

"To be an elite program, it has to be built around a culture of speed," he said. "That has to be forefront on everybody's mind. Just trying to do what I've learned and the things that I know. For the amount of time we have these kids, it makes a difference. It teaches them how to run, how to be explosive, getting their body ready."

Brothers Alex and Seiji Hegg, who are a year apart in school, could be Chaparral's two most explosive players next season. They'll be utilized all over the place on offense. And on defense.

"We've always been fast, but speed training a lot," Seiji said.

They say Archuleta has already made an impact in getting them physically ready.

"Speed training and weight training," Alex said.

They realized they're coming into the season as an underdog.

"The coaching staff is really helping this season," Sieji said. "We've got a lot of upgrades."

Offensive lineman Thomas Yamashita, who will be a junior, feels the Firebirds can bounce back.

"I feel like we're coming back stronger than ever," Yamashita said. "The people that are here, didn't go, they've got that mentality. The people that we've got here are open to something great this year."

To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azc_obert

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Former ASU star Adam Archuleta joining Chaparral football rebuild