Laid off from his job in Michigan, Larry Fetkenhier traveled across the country to become the next head coach for Cactus High School’s football program, and the rest is history.

“I’ve been here for over 33 years,” said Fetkenhier. “I’ve been here ever since and it is the only school I’ve ever worked at in the state of Arizona.”

Hired in 1984, Fetkenhier has won two state championships in seven appearances and has more than 300 career wins. 

“I think our students and the community expect us to win and we expect us win,” said Fetkenhier.

Cactus High School principal Kristi Hammer is no stranger to Fetkenhier. She has worked at Cactus for 21 years, four as principal and 17 as a teacher.

“Coach Fet is a legacy. We give him a hard time for it but there’s big expectations when you have a legacy,” said Hammer. “We’ve had generations of people come through Cactus and our community still comes out to support Cactus football. People either have no kids here anymore or their grandkids are at Cactus, but it is interesting to hear their stories of how Coach Fet impacted their son’s lives and even grandson’s lives. He’s a role model shaping young men.”

This summer, Fetkenhier was inducted into the 2017 class of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Fetkenhier credits the school, students and community for his success.

“Our school spirit is phenomenal ... It’s an atmosphere for a small school,” said Fetkenhier. “The support system does an incredible job producing ... from the cheer program to the student council, they help create an atmosphere of electricity that our players feed off of.”

Coaching at a smaller school, Fetkenhier emphasizes that a winning culture needs to be implemented to build a successful football program. “One of the negatives of our school is that we’re building on the road, we’re building on Greenway Avenue,” said Fetkenhier. “It is a little different when you’re at a school in a small town.

"I bounced around a lot, attending a new high school every other year but Cactus High School had a lot of school spirit with it came to their sports,” said former student Carlos Medina. “The students are aware of Coach Fet's legacy. They even honor him at the football stadium for his 300 career wins.”

Fetkenhier hopes his football program is more than X’s and O's. On Wednesdays, Fetkenhier gathers all his athletes for “Cobra Time,” where he talks about life, manners and being good role models for the community. His season goals are to develop his football players on and off the field. 

"I’d like to think that our players are leaders on campus and in the community,” said Fetkenhier.

“Coach Fet is all about insuring that his players demonstrate those high moral characters, that they are truly leaders on a campus ...  it’s important to him, and it’s important for me,” said Hammer.

Fetkenhier has guided and mentored many student athletes to Division I college football programs and even the NFL.  Fetkenhier has coached three athletes who played football professionally: Former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Kyle Kosier, former Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Christopherson and former Arena League kicker Kyle Pooler.

This season, Fetkenhier is leading his team to a perfect season, where they are currently 5-0.