He had that smile and you knew he would flash the “Fork 'em Devils” hand sign at any moment. Most will talk about the football coach and the budding administrator, but I remember the young man behind the youthful beard and the ever-rising optimism. Like most, I woke up Friday morning to the devastating news that former Marana head coach Louie Ramirez was no longer with us on our journey.

The Casa Grande Union High School District posted the news on its Facebook page on Friday:

 

“It is with deep sorrow that we share the news of the unexpected passing of our Vista Grande Athletic Director, Mr. Louis Ramirez II, on August 8, 2024. Mr. Ramirez was deeply passionate about his work, always striving to do what was best for our students and the athletes he coached. His dedication and spirit will be profoundly missed.

We understand that this news may be difficult for many of you. If you are struggling, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to support you in any way we can during this challenging time.”

 

Louie started out as lineman for Casa Grande where he earned a 5A East Valley selection in his senior year in 2011. He attended ASU where he worked with the football team under former ASU coaches Dennis Erickson and Todd Graham for a couple of years before serving as an assistant under Roy Lopez at Marcos de Niza. After graduating from ASU, Louie served as a graduate assistant at Truman State for a couple of years before moving over in the same position at NAU from 2017 to 2018.

Louie was only 25 years old when he took the reigns of the Marana Tigers from Andy Litten in 2018 but he was ready for the challenge. He inherited future ASU standout Trenton Bourguet and future Arizona and Packers lineman Jordan Morgan. Treyson Bourguet was a freshman and Isaiah Roebuck was a sophomore on his first team. He helped guide that team to an 8-3 record and he moved back to the Phoenix area to be an assistant coach at Saguaro from 2021 to 2023.

Louie returned to his roots in the Casa Grande area where he served as a vice principal and athletic director while passing on his football knowledge to the current staff at Vista Grande. Louie was 31.

Former Marana AD Sarah Whaley gave Louie the chance he needed to get his professional career started.

“I am incredibly saddened to learn of Louie's passing,” Whaley said. “He was a dedicated and hard working coach that left a lasting impact on those he coached and worked with. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work closely with him at Marana High and to have kept in touch with him over the years. Louie's commitment to his role as coach and later AD was matched only by his fierce love for his children. My thoughts are with his family during this time.”

Louie went up against current Mountain View Marana head coach Matt Johnson when Johnson was at Ironwood Ridge and Johnson recalls the values he was teaching his players at Marana both on and off the field.

“I was really moved by him after he defeated my team and his players were starting to taunt us,” Johnson recalled. “He redirected them and taught them about class and respect. He was a great competitor and he supported the Arizona Football Coaches Association (Ramirez was the vice president) and he helped make the game better. He was always there for you. This is a hard time for fans of high school athletics. He was a great man.”

Louie touched the Bourguet family briefly but that year turned out to be a greater portion of his life than anyone would have expected.

“We would like to send our prayers and condolences to the Ramirez family, especially his young children,” Toby Bourguet wrote on behalf of his family. “We pray that God will give them strength as they deal with this tragic loss.”

 

What others have said:

 

"Finally have some time to reflect. Still very stunned. The last time I saw Louie was on the sideline during Salpointe’s 5A championship game with Scottsdale Horizon in 2021 at what was then Sun Devil Stadium. I felt a tap from behind on my shoulder and it was him. He gave me a brotherly hug and we exchanged pleasantries. He knew everyone associated with high school football in the state, it seemed, but he was especially tied to that game with Treyson Bourguet the QB for Salpointe (he coached older brother Trenton Bourguet at Marana) and he took over the Marana program in 2018 after Tucsonan Andy Litten, coaching Horizon in 2021, left Marana for an assistant job at Chandler Hamilton. I knew how much he loved coaching so when he became AD at Vista Grande in 2022, leaving an assistant position at Scottsdale Saguaro, I was somewhat surprised. But I realized it was his way of trying to positively impact more athletes and coaches. I also remember going to an early preseason practice at Marana before Louie’s last season in 2020 when COVID-19 was a threat to the season taking place. He started pulling off players from the practice field to be interviewed by me because he told me this could be their one chance to be recognized that year. He was also very appreciative of what we reporters needed to do for our work. He was very accommodating and understanding. His passing is a significant loss and saddens us all. I feel especially for his young kids." Javier Morales of AllSportsTucson.

 

"A huge loss for Arizona high school football. In his 31 years of life, Louie’s mentorship and influence touched many students, fellow coaches and media members. Always gracious, win or lose when interviewed. Keep all of those who knew and loved Louie in your thoughts, especially his family." Lori Burkhart of AllSPortsTucson.

 

"Sad, shocked, no words. RIP to my friend, colleague. You will be missed Louie. Praying for your family." Jason jewell, Brophy Prep head football coach.

 

"Just gutted. I met Louie when he was an assistant coach at NAU and was just a good person. I just emailed him this morning too, as we broadcast our first football game at Vista Grande and wanted to get a lay of the land. Was looking forward to seeing him. Praying for his family." Dave Zorn, News/Sports Director KAFF AM/FM.

 

"I’m deeply saddened by the passing of former Marana football coach Louie Ramirez. Louie was a great husband, father, mentor and friend. He always picked up my phone calls to talk ball and checked in as a friend from time to time. Condolences to the Ramirez family." Justin Spears of the Arizona Daily Star.

 

"A great man who loved his school, players, kids and Arizona high school football. Gone way too soon. Please keep the Vista Grande community, Louie's family and especially his two young children in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time." Zach Alvira, AZPreps365 Radio co-host.