Kelly Epley, I met him in 1995 when he was introduced to me by Chad Martin. Chad had a team in the AzFL, Arizona Football League and had convinced Kelly, his coach at Greenway high school to work with his team. Kelly made a mark in the league and built some pretty good squads with players like Dave Posey, Justin Stangler, Paul Gallardo, Bobby Green, George Hawthorne, Robert Latona.

On Thursday 8/17/17 I was at the scrimmage between the Arizona Christian University Firestorm and the Glendale Gauchos. Afterwards we spoke about his new job doing commentary for Arizona high school Friday night game of the week broadcasts. His first game is Friday 8/25/17 at Sunnyslope HS as the Vikings face the visiting Ironwood Ridge Nighthawks from Oro Valley.

The broadcast will air live on 1580 AM and 93.3 FM and is the production of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and their AZpreps360 high school program. Kelly did say he thinks it was Jose Garcia that had a hand in his getting the gig.

I did record the interview, you can click on it listen and download.

I asked him why he left his job coaching high school football at Youngkers for the Roughriders. I received the most complete, honest answer that I have had from a coach.

He said: “My demeanor is better suited for the college game. I am not as nurturing as some of these coaches need to be these days. I am who I am.”

As a side note, Everson Griffen, NFL All Pro for the Vikings had this to say about Kelly. “It was Kelly being tough on me that got me to where I am today.” He played for Epley at Agua Fria HS. Coach told Griffen, “You had to have some tough ones at USC.” Griffen, “Naw, not like you, not like you. I have not met anyone like you, not even close.”

Perspective. It is everything.

Me, I have never met a man with his drive to improve. Not just himself, but everyone around him. His math students, players, associates. He believes in hard work, doing it right, giving more than you take.

I cannot wait to listen to his radio broadcasts.

I did remind him of former AIA broadcaster Sed Bonner, whom was released from his HS broadcast duties. He was a little to honest on the air. (AZ Rattlers, Arena Football Star) Sherdrick is now broadcasting for Root Sports and works on the air for the Arena Football League. Sed will be on the crew for Arena Bowl 30 on Saturday, August 26^th 2017.

The only advice I could give Kelly was simple. Be yourself, say whatever you need to say at the high school games. Just be sure the mic is off for most of it.

Currently:

Math Teacher and Math Department Chair at Youngkers HS in Buckeye.

Glendale CC Gauchos Defensive Line Coach

Kelly played at Greenway HS class of ‘81, Rob Roberson, now Youngkers Principal was one of his coaches.  

Rob Roberson had Kelly as DC when Rob was HC at Cortez in 1989.

Agua Fria Owls, HC for 10 years

Glendale Gauchos, played there has coached there off and on since. Is coaching there now.

Kofa in Yuma DC in 1996

Independence Patriots in Glendale 1998-2000