It’s probably fitting that the first time Rebecca Ricedorff heard her future husband’s name was during a high school football game. 

It was 1988 and she was a junior at Mountain View in Mesa. She loved going to football games and not just for the social aspect-she actually paid attention to the games. 

Mountain View played Westwood twice that season, losing both times. The second time was in the state championship game. 

“I had never met Randy to that point, but I just remember those games and being frustrated. Westwood was beating us, and I kept hearing his name by the P.A. announcer. I was like ‘Who is this Ricedorff guy? He keeps making tackles and interceptions,’” Rebecca recalls.

Randy Ricedorff was a star player for Westwood’s 1988 championship team.

The two met within a few months, eventually married, and 33 years later, the Ricedorff's have over 300 football games on their marriage resume, with 230 as a head coach.

Rebecca Ricedorff is one of the many wives across the state and country who offer unwavering loyalty to their husbands’ high school coaching pursuits. 

It’s an exhausting and emotional path. It requires thick skin, a high tolerance for loneliness and an infinite supply of patience. An appreciation for high school football is probably a requisite as well. 

In the words of Amy Zupke, wife of Pinnacle coach Dana Zupke, “You have to embrace it or you’ll end up resenting it.”

Part of the embrace includes the lifestyle and that goes with the territory. 

The demands on time are seemingly endless, as is the devotion of high school coaches. The job is nearly thankless, scrutiny is common, and the financial rewards simply don’t exist. Those with families and their own children rely on spouses for endless support, which may be more thankless than the coaching occupation itself.

Partners in Football

Before ALA Gilbert North’s opening game this season, Randy Ricedorff was honored by the school for not only last December’s 4A state championship, but for 25 years of coaching, both as an assistant and head coach. 

A video tribute was played as Ricedorff’s impressive list of accomplishments were read off as family members attended. 

Rebecca was responsible for most of the ceremony, which makes sense as she was integral in coach Ricedorff’s journey, which included extreme sacrifice and support early on. 

After seven seasons as an assistant at Saguaro, Westwood, and Mesa Community College, Ricedorff suffered a minor setback. 

He interviewed for the head coaching job at Westwood.

At the time it would’ve been his dream job to take over this alma mater. Unfortunately, Westwood leadership insisted on a hire with previous head coaching experience. 

Coach Ricedorff knew what he wanted, so he kept in pursuit of his dream. He interviewed and was offered the head coaching job at Trevor Browne prior to the 2005 season. 

He understood the unique challenges involved.

Besides the near hour commute in rush hour, Trevor Brown student athletes faced all sorts of challenges that put football second. Ricedorff knew he was taking a tough job requiring longer hours than usual.

He needed the support of his family, and wife Rebecca made sure he got it. 

“It was an eye opener for sure,” Rebecca said of her husband’s Trevor Browne job.

“But he knew he needed to do it, and he wanted to do it, so we supported him. We always had a large contingent of family at the games, sometimes outnumbering the rest of the crowd in the bleachers. 

The Bruin football team won only three games in his two years, but one particular experience reassured Rebecca that her husband had a unique skill as a football coach. 

“We had just gotten down playing Mountain Ridge, we were blown out which was not surprising. But afterward, their coach Steve Belles found me after the game. He said to me ‘I want you to know your husband is an amazing football coach’,” Rebecca Ricedorff explained. 

“Then he explained that he couldn’t believe how hard the Trevor Browne kids kept playing the entire game even though it was a blowout, and they knew they weren’t going to win. That’s a direct reflection on their coach.”

The gesture by coach Belles meant a lot to Rebecca, and even with all the success coach Ricedorff would go on to achieve, his work at Trevor Browne remains a great source of pride for his wife.

It would also help her support him in his next major decision as a coach, which required uprooting the family for a move up north to the White Mountains. 

After the 2006 season, the Show Low High job became available, albeit under turbulent circumstances. Then principal Farrell Adams loved Ricedorff and extended the job offer. Much of the Show Low community did not share the same enthusiasm. The transition would test the new head coach and his family.

Chilly Reception

The Ricedorff’s welcome to the White Mountains was about as warm as a Show Low morning in January.

The coach for the 2006 season–Danny Hawkins–was on a one year contract, but was well liked and won nine games. One assistant coach told the Show Low district board the team did not have a chance without (coach Hawkins). 

Needless to say, there was no red carpet laid out for Ricedorff. Wife Rebecca knew it would be a difficult move for her husband and even their children. 

“They wanted nothing to do with an outsider, especially from the big city," explained Rebecca. 

“I think they also pointed out his head coaching resume, which was only two seasons, and three total wins. But they had no idea what an amazing job he did at Trevor Browne, and what he did for those kids.”

Anytime new head football coaches are hired, members of the school board typically have to pass the hire with a vote of approval. Usually, this is a formality.

But with Ricedorff’s hire in Show Low, it was nearly a rejection. It was going to be a difficult family transition for the family regardless.

Oldest daughter Brookelyn was a sophomore and Rathen was in 8th grade. No one likes moving, but that’s an especially difficult age. Even more so going from big town to small town, warm weather to cold. But it was an opportunity coach Ricedorff wanted, wife Rebecca knew it, and she did everything to support him while helping their children understand and adapt. 

If not for the principal’s plea to the school board members on Ricedorff’s behalf, the hire wouldn’t have passed. But it finally was.

That didn’t mean he was supported. 

Not long after arriving in Show Low, coach Ricedorff received an anonymous package, and it wasn’t exactly Hallmark material. It was a paperback book with the following title: Coaching Football…for Dummies. 

After Randy Ricedorff was hired at Show Low High in late 2006, a school 'supporter' sent this book to the new coach, presumably out of disdan.

“That was a low blow to say the least,” recalls Rebecca.

“I think we kind of understood the small town local thing, but for someone to go out of their way to do that, it just shows how emotional and biased people can get.” 

The Show Low transition also became a blessing within their own family.

Moving in the middle of the school year under the circumstances forced the Ricedorff clan to rely on each other more than ever.

“Early on through that move, we really had to stick together,” Rebecca explains.

“The actual football season wasn’t for another nine months, so it would be a while before Randy could really earn trust. So of course we’d hear things, our kids would hear things, all while going through a tough transition. The good thing is it really brought us closer together as a family, and that was a great blessing for us.”

Ten years later, coach Ricedorff and family had made a permanent imprint on the entire Show Low community.

The first season in 2007 resulted in 13 wins and the 3A state championship. The playoff run included an upset of fierce rival Lakeside Blue Ridge and legendary coach Paul Moro.

Ricedorff never looked back, at one point reaching the 3A title game four out of five seasons. His oldest son Rathen broke numerous passing records and guided Show Low to another title in 2010. After last December's state title win, Ricedorff became one of a few Arizona coaches to win championships at Sun Devil Stadium, Arizona Stadium, and NAU's Walk Up Skydome.

Then-Show Low High coach Randy Ricedorff and family celebrate winning the 3A State Championship in 2010 at NAU. Photo courtesy of Rebecca Ricedorff

The Ricedorff family went from unwanted outsiders to near White Mountain royalty. Youngest child Rhett also played quarterback for Show Low, going 12-1 in 2016 as a senior.

It would be coach Ricedorff’s final season as well. After 10 seasons in Show Low, Ricedorff finished with 100 victories, two state titles, and appreciation from a community that originally rejected him.

“That was definitely a difficult move, but we couldn’t have gotten through it without Rebecca,” Ricedorff says. 

“She’s been awesome from the beginning and there’s no way to properly describe her support.” 

Natalie Germaine: Running of the Bulls

It was late July in the peak of the 2023 heatwave, and even at 117 degrees, the show had to go on.

In this case, the ‘show’ was the first week of workouts for the East Valley Bulls, a group of youth football teams aged nine to 14, which serves as Mountain View’s feeder program. 

That’s where Natalie Germaine comes into the picture. The wife of Mountain View coach Joe Germaine, Natalie assumed the role as the Bulls manager in 2022.

With over 200 kids aged nine to 14 years, and at least one team per age group, the responsibility and time requirements are considerable, and rarely glamorous. That first week of workouts–particularly the second day–was just one example. 

All Bulls players were required to be sized and fitted for uniforms. With no indoor options, Natalie had no choice but to form a line between the practice field and baseball bleachers in the scorching heat of that late afternoon. It was a line that grew longer and more chaotic as time went on. 

After about 90 minutes and the help of a few other parents, most of the fittings are finally done. Now it was time to rush over to the campus where most of those same parents had already filled up the auditorium, waiting for Natalie to hand out paperwork and explain all the required formalities and expectations for the upcoming season.

“It gets hectic sometimes, but the parents are great about helping out,” Germaine explains.

“We had a great turnout this year. It makes things a little more hectic in the beginning, but it also means more volunteers and a great experience for more kids and families.”

The Bulls program is a priority to coach Germaine and he made it well known after arriving in 2021.

If Mountain View is going to become a consistent contender again, participation is perhaps the key element in the equation. Germaine gets involved as much as possible, often sticking around after varsity practices to observe Bulls practices and talk up the kids afterward. But the daily and weekly management handled by coach Natalie is a huge undertaking, full of headaches, never ending e-mails and all the typical hassles of youth tackle football.

“Natalie’s amazing with how she handles everything,” coach Germaine said. “She's a natural with people and great with the parents. It doesn’t hurt that she grew up with brothers and was involved with sports growing up, but having her deal with all nuances takes a lot of time and dedication, so it’s a great blessing.”

Natalie Germaine (lower right) talks with parents of the East Valley Bulls football program in July. Photo by Wayne Syrek

Football: Love/Hate

Supporting a coaching spouse is a roller coaster in its own right.

When children become part of the equation, football can be a love-hate relationship.  

In Week 2 of the varsity season, Mountain View played at Saguaro High in Scottsdale. As Natalie watched from the sideline, she couldn’t help but pace back and forth, as both offenses moved the ball. Saguaro, the perennial power commonly known as ‘SagU’, was in full health and prime form back then, playing fast and physical as usual. Jack Germaine, the oldest son of Joe and Natalie, was coming off a brilliant Week 1 performance against Queen Creek, not to mention his third ACL surgery since junior high. It was an emotional and satisfying win for the Germaines, and everyone involved carried a cautious optimism going into the Saguaro game.

Everyone knew it was likely going to take the performance of Jack Germaine’s life and then some to beat Saguaro. 

For one quarter it was happening. 

Jack Germaine was laser sharp on the first two drives, which included touchdown passes of 39 and 30 yards. The Toros led the Sabercats 14-13, and Mother Germaine was ecstatic, relieved and anxious all at the same time.

Soon it was mostly anxiousness.

Within a few minutes, Saguaro turned the game on its head. A blocked field goal was returned for a touchdown, Jack threw an interception and took two sacks, one of which resembled a WWE body slam.

“I swear, growing up I’ve always loved watching football, like always my whole life…until my boys started playing,” Natalie said with a possible hint of sarcasm.

“No, I'm serious. I mean I love football and I always have, but it’s hard to enjoy with all the emotions of a mother. I know it’s emotional for all parents, but the quarterback thing is hard.”

Growing up in Colorado, Natalie grew up an avid Broncos fan, with a father and three brothers heavily involved in football and other sports. Eventually she learned that cheering as a fan is far different than watching her own family.

With younger sons Crew and Mitt playing football and other sports, Natalie is already teaching herself how to manage the emotions that come with supporting husband and children.

“We’re really lucky because we’ve had mostly success along the way,” Natalie says of her husband’s coaching journey, which began in 2010 at Queen Creek, and won the 4A state championship in 2012.

“You’re always going to hear whispers and opinions and it’s hard not to take it personal. Last season was really hard, especially with the schedule and seeing Jack hurt his knee again, people will always second guess.”

Despite her husband’s history with Mountain View as a player, Natalie admitted that leaving Queen Creek for North Mesa wasn’t the easiest decision for the family as a whole.

“We had a great thing at Queen Creek, and we’d lived down there for some time. Plus, Jack was a freshman and it wasn’t an easy decision to pull him from the friends he’d grown up playing with.”

She added that ultimately, they were impressed with principal Mike Oliver and his overall vision for the school.  

“There’s a lot of work ahead but it’s been great so far, and we’ve really felt the support,” she said.

Pinnacle of Education

Amy Zupke sits in the same spot during every Pinnacle football game and it’s more than just superstition.

“People know exactly where I am,” explains Zupke, wife of longtime Pinnacle coach Dana Zupke.

He’s successfully led the Pioneer program since 2003 and is currently the longest tenured coach in 6A. In spite of the success, Amy has learned the hard way that no one is exempt from criticism.

Certainly not during games in the heat of frustration, surrounded by parents who tend to be football experts.

“Sitting in the same place means most Pinnacle fans know where I am, so when people get frustrated, maybe they’ll think twice if I’m within earshot,” Amy said.

The Zupke family has become synonymous with Pinnacle football.

Two of their three sons played, the youngest being Clay, who graduated in 2020 and now throws the javelin at Northern Arizona university. The middle son, Will, graduated in 2017 and is currently the junior varsity head coach.

As a classroom teacher for 30-plus years and a former volleyball coach, Amy knows a thing or two about teaching kids and the inevitable nature of conflict and criticism.

“I’ve learned that it goes with the territory, and when it comes to their own children, parents are mostly looking through foggy lenses,” Zupke added.

“Another sacrifice I’m sure everyone deals with is time, or lack of time during the season. As much as you think you’re used to it, it always seems to cause one good fight per season,” Zupke says with a laugh.

Her education and coaching background have proven invaluable to her husband’s coaching success and longevity. 

A graduate and former assistant volleyball coach at Chaparral, Amy helped her husband earn a job as the defensive coordinator in the late 1990’s under former coach Ron Estabrook. Zupke’s success at Chaparral set up the opportunity to take over at Pinnacle, which was only in its third year of existence.

By that time, the Zupke’s had three young sons, and the youngest Clay was barely two years old.

The Zupke family in 2019 after Pinnacle's annual military game. Photo courtesy of Amy Zupke

“Once Dana became the defensive coordinator, I realized football was going to be a big part of our lives,” Amy said.

“From that point on, my coaching days were basically over, and Friday nights were all about my three sons cheering on their dad.”

As her own boys grew older, Amy’s loyalty towards Pinnacle naturally grew stronger.

But there was another aspect to that equation: her own students.

Amy spent over 30 years teaching first grade and kindergarteners. Sixteen of those years were at Windfire elementary, which feeds into Pinnacle.

For many seasons now, she’s seen her own former students grow up and play football for her husband at Pinnacle. She gets emotional explaining it, as both the teacher and motherly instincts combine.

"That's a beautiful aspect of teaching such a young age group," Zupke admits. 

“You really get to see them grow up, and watching some of them play the game for my husband…it’s one of the parts I get to embrace.”