Daniel Arredondo

Tempe - Daniel "Coach Dan" Arredondo passed away peacefully at home while under the care of his children and Hospice of the Valley. Dan was born on December 27, 1934, to Josefa "Josie" Gurrola and Alejandro Molina Arredondo in Tempe, where he resided his entire life. He attended Rural School and Tempe Grammar School. A four-sport lettered athlete at Tempe High School, Dan received a football scholarship to attend Arizona State University, where he earned a bachelor of arts in secondary education, a master of science in physical education, and a post-master's certificate in administration and secondary supervision.

Dan's career with the Phoenix Union High School District spanned five decades and resulted in significant achievements, honors, and accolades. He began teaching and coaching at Carl Hayden High School in 1958. Arredondo was the head wrestling coach for 16 years (1960-1976). Carl Hayden's wrestling teams posted 116 wins, 35 losses, and one tie under his leadership. The school produced 11 individual state champions, earned two state runner-up titles, and won the 1971 State Wrestling Championship, after which Mr. Arredondo was awarded All-Star Wrestling Coach. Carl Hayden's wrestling teams also completed five undefeated seasons, won three division titles, and produced 31 individual division champions. In 1976, Dan was promoted to assistant principal in charge of athletics.

Dan held numerous assistant principal positions across the Phoenix Union High School District. He was the athletic director for West High School from 1978 until 1982 and North High School from 1982 until 1985. Arredondo was the Director of Athletics, Health, and Physical Education for the Phoenix Union High School District from 1985 until his retirement in 1998. In this capacity, he successfully administered athletic programs for eight comprehensive high schools with about 20,000 students. In 1995, his colleagues awarded him 5A Conference Athletic Director of the Year, and the National Council of Secondary School Athletic Directors named him Arizona Athletic Director of the Year.

Dan was also an Arizona Interscholastic Association (AIA) wrestling official from 1968 until 1995, serving 15 consecutive years as head official for the Arizona State High School Wrestling Tournament and two years on the National High School Federation Wrestling Rules Advisory Committee. He was inducted into the Arizona Wrestling Hall of Fame (1991), Tempe High School Athletic Hall of Fame (1991), Arizona Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association Hall of Fame (1998), Arizona Hispanic Sports Hall of Fame (2004), and Phoenix Union Sports Hall of Fame (2018).

During summers, Dan managed pools and coached recreational swim teams. In the 1950s, he was the first lifeguard and manager of Mexican descent at Tempe Beach. From 1967 until 1974, he was the Shalimar pool manager and swim coach. In 1975, he became head swim coach at the Lakes Beach & Tennis Club, serving in this capacity until 2000. His children and grandchildren continue this legacy.

Dan is preceded in death by his parents Alejandro (1959) and Josie (1991); brothers Emilio, Michael, and Henry "Hank"; sisters Alejandrina "Hondy" Correa, Gloria Salazar, and Aida "Ida" Millanes; and beloved son Daniel in 2003. Dan is survived by brothers Alex, Joe, Ben, and Rick; his children Sheila, Kelley, Kerrie, and Rocky, and their mother, Janice Jackman Arredondo; and grandchildren Darian and Devyn Faulkner, Sydney and Tayson Willey, Parker and Josie Cieszinski, and Samantha, Tegen, and Danny Arredondo.

A Celebration of Life is planned for January 2024. To honor Dan's contributions and memory, please consider supporting the Tempe Impacts Education Foundation, Phoenix Union Foundation for Education, and Hospice of the Valley.