Ridenour said Friedman, 38, was who the school was looking for in a new coach after the controversial firing of Heideman. A group of players and other students protested the axing of Heideman, who led the Jaguars to a 2‑8 record in their first season as a varsity team.

The school has not given an official reason for Heideman's firing, but people close to the situation said Heideman had trouble connecting with parents, the community, and other coaches. Ridenour said Heideman's firing had nothing to do with the team's record last year and added, "it was the hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life."

But Ridenour said the school wanted to go in a new direction with another coach, and Friedman fit the bill.

"Coach Friedman hit all the marks we were looking for," Ridenour said. "I was overwhelmed with the conversations I had with people about what he's all about. He blew everybody away who was involved."

Friedman informed his Goldwater players Dec. 11 that he would be leaving. He will continue to teach at Goldwater unless a teaching position opens at Boulder Creek. Heideman is still employed as a systematics teacher there.

Tony Cassarella will remain as an assistant coach, and three Goldwater assistants will make the move with Friedman to Anthem. Friedman will also be bringing on two assistants from Glendale Community College, who Friedman worked with at Horizon High School.

Goldwater will now be searching for a coach with defensive coordinator Ed Cook being the leading candidate. The Bulldogs have 17 starters returning next season after reaching the 5A quarterfinals for the first time in 2006. In Friedman's five seasons there, the Bulldogs went from the doormats of the 5A to two playoff appearances.

"If we got that thing turned around at Goldwater with the handful of athletes they get there, imagine what we can do in Anthem with all the numbers we have here," Friedman said. "The numbers should be phenomenal."

Ridenour said the hiring of Friedman should stabilize the program for at least the next five years.

"He's an extremely personable person and has a very solid football mind," Ridenour said. "He was all about every facet that is important with us–strong in community relations, strong in community area. And with the connections he has, the staff he's already compiled is phenomenal."

Friedman has degrees from Ottawa University and Northern Arizona University. He is a graduate of Horizon High School and was named the 2006 Northwest Region Coach of the year.

He and his wife, Lori, have three children: Hayden and Zachary, 11; and Logan, 7.

Reach the reporter at jason@thedesertadvocate.com.