Tempe High School Football Coaching Staff

HEAD COACH

Sean Freeman serves as the head football coach at Tempe High School, bringing leadership, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to the student-athletes under his guidance.

QB Coach/Offensive Passing Game Coordinator

Quarterback Coach Emanuel has an extensive football background, having played quarterback for 9 years, from middle school to the professional level. While in high school, he made history as the first quarterback in Arizona to pass over 10,000 yards. He is also the current 4A passing yards leader and ranked in the Top 12 for total passing yards. With his extensive understanding of the game, Emanuel brings experience and coaching intellect. Currently a paraprofessional at Tempe High, he is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of athletes and strengthening their skill development both on and off the field.

Varsity Offensive Coordinator

Coach Pinnick enters his third season as the Buffaloes’ Offensive Coordinator. Pinnick is known as a dedicated and experienced football coach with a deep passion for the game and a commitment to developing players both on and off the field. With 25 years of experience, he brings firsthand knowledge, leadership, and strategic expertise to his coaching approach. His offenses have produced record breaking results at every stop. Pinnick’s coaching philosophy is rooted in hard work, accountability, and teamwork, ensuring that every player not only improves their skills but also learns valuable life lessons through the game. Whether mentoring young talent or fine-tuning advanced strategies, he is dedicated to pushing his team to reach their full potential.

Director of Strength and Conditioning

Kelton "Rich" Stockton (Coach Rich), hailing from Sidney, Ohio, is a seasoned sports performance coach with over seven years of experience transforming athletes at every level—from youth and NCAA competitors to NFL professionals and adult enthusiasts. Fueled by a relentless passion for football and athletic development, Coach Rich specializes in cultivating high-performing athletes through science-backed training, mental toughness, and a relentless focus on winning culture. His approach combines strategic performance analysis, personalized programming, and mentorship to unlock peak potential, foster leadership, and drive results. Dedicated to excellence on and off the field, he empowers athletes to dominate their sport while embodying discipline, resilience, and integrity. For Coach Rich, success isn’t just about talent—it’s about building champions who thrive under pressure

JV WR Coach/Asst. WR Varsity

Coach AJ Pacheco is in his first year of coaching but brings a lifetime of football experience to the team. A proud graduate of Tempe High School (Class of 2023), he played varsity football for three years and served as team captain for two of those seasons. Having played the game since the age of six, football has always been a major part of his life, shaping his work ethic, leadership, and passion for the sport.Currently, Coach Pacheco is a full-time student at Arizona State University, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering. His dedication to both academics and athletics reflects his commitment to discipline and continuous growth. Coach Pacheco is excited to help develop young athletes and share his love for the game while instilling the values of teamwork, perseverance, and hard work.

JV Head Coach

Coach Burnett is the Head JV Football Coach and this is his 4th year coaching at Tempe High. He believes in preparing our players for any obstacles they may face on and off the field. Coach Burnett employs a philosophy focused on individual and team success in a supportive, but tough culture, pushing student athletes to rise to and exceed expectations. Coach Burnett's background is in education, and he is passionate about equipping students to be successful in the classroom and pushing them to be good, effective members of their community.

Varsity Defensive Line

Coach Mark Watters is a dedicated coach with seven years of experience. Throughout his career, he has worked with both offensive and defensive units, specializing in the development of offensive and defensive linemen, as well as linebackers.With a strong focus on discipline, teamwork, and player development, Coach Watters is committed to fostering a competitive and growth-oriented environment that can prepare student athletes for real world challenges.

Varsity Football WR Coach

Coach Luis Llamas is going into his 4th year of coaching and is a new edition to the Tempe staff. Coach Llamas has a deep passion for mentoring young men through the mutual love for football. He is a former Tempe high school and University of Arizona alum.

JV Defensive Coordinator

Bennett Welco is the defensive coordinator for the Junior Varsity team at Tempe High School. Now in his third season with the program, he is committed to developing young athletes and instilling strong defensive fundamentals. Coach Welco focuses on preparing his players to make a seamless transition to the Varsity level, equipping them with the skills, discipline, and experience needed to become impactful contributors to the program’s success.

Offensive Line Coach & Run Game Coordinator

Coach Donnie Meador is a dedicated and experienced football coach specializing in offensive line play and run game coordination. From 2018 to 2021, he played a pivotal role in shaping Tempe’s dominant rushing attack, helping produce three 1,000-yard rushers and setting the school record for most rushing yards in a single game. His strategic approach to run game development and offensive line fundamentals has been instrumental in building a physical, disciplined, and highly effective ground attack.Beyond X’s and O’s, Coach Meador is passionate about mentoring and teaching, instilling discipline, resilience, and a strong work ethic in his players. His commitment to player development goes beyond the field, ensuring his athletes grow as competitors and individuals. With a deep love for the game and a relentless drive to elevate those around him, Coach Meador continues to leave a lasting impact on the teams and players he coaches.