Jeff Scurran with Catalina Foothills QB Chris Kowalcek. (Andy Morales/AZPreps365.com)

 

Catalina Foothills head coach Jeff Scurran is one win away from career win 300. Though his win total includes all levels of coaching from high school, junior college and semiprofessional, his 221 high school wins from the Tucson area are second only to legendary Amphitheater head coach Vern Friedli. Friedli finished his career with 288 wins with the Panthers and 331 overall.

Catalina Foothills (3-1) is slated to host Empire (2-1) this Friday. The 4A Falcons are favored to win against the 3A opponent but Scurran isn’t taking anything for granted.

“I prefer to wait until it happens,” Scurran rightfully said on the pending record. “I’m taking absolutely nothing for granted.”

Taking nothing for granted has led to the successful rebuilding or, in the case of Pima Community College, the building of six programs in his career. He has won three state championships and has taken four different teams to the state playoffs and three different teams to the state final for a record eight times.

One would have to go back to Tucson High’s Rollin T. Gridley to come close to that kind of success. Gridley coached the Badgers to five state championships from 1937 to 1945.

 

THE REBUILDS

 

1982: Wahtonka High School, Oregon.

From 0-18 to the state semifinals in his only year at the school (9-2).

1984: Canyon del Oro

The Dorados went 3-7 in 1982 and Scurran took them to eight wins, including a playoff win, in 1985.

1988: Sabino

Took a 2-8 team to 12-1 in two years and a state championship in 1990.

2001: Pima College

Starting from scratch, Scurran won 26 games in four years and beat the top-ranked team in the nation before returning to the high school level.

2007: Santa Rita

Took an 0-10 team to 11-2 in his first year and a state championship appearance in 2008.

2013: Catalina Foothills.

Took an 0-10 squad to eight wins in his first year and a state championship appearance in 2016.

 

THE TUCSON WINS

 

288: Verne Friedli.

221: Jeff Scurran:

-22 wins at Canyon del Oro (1984-86)

-127 wins at Sabino (1988-96)

-34 wins at Santa Rita (2007-09)

-38 current wins at Catalina Foothills (2013-present)

 

THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

 

2016: 4A Runner-up

2009: D-II Runner-up

2008: D-II Runner-up

1999: 5A Runner-up

1998: 4A STATE CHAMPION

1997: 4A Runner-up

1992: 4A STATE CHAMPION

1990: 4A STATE CHAMPION