“After Valley” highlights select Valley Christian alumni of all ages, from our first graduating class of 1986 to our most recent graduates.

James Fitzgerald ’10

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This “After Valley” profile was originally posted in September 2020.

What did you do after Valley? Where did your life take you? 

I attended and played Football at Cal Lutheran and Scottsdale Community College. After a back injury ended my sophomore year at SCC, I was offered a coaching position at the age of 20 on staff at SCC working with the safeties and being the film coordinator. In 2013, I transferred to and attended the University of Arizona and coached at Pusch Ridge Christian Academy (2013-2015), where I was the Head JV coach and Varsity Co-Offensive Coordinator. In 2015, Pusch Ridge defeated Northwest Christian to capture the State Title. In my seasons at Pusch Ridge our record was 31-5, and as the head JV coach we had our first ever undefeated season in school history. After Graduating from U of A I began coaching at Northern Arizona University as a Defensive Graduate Assistant for 1 season. In 2016 I returned to SCC as the Recruiting Coordinator and TE’s coach. During the 2016 season I coached the #1 junior college TE in the country, Sal Cannella, who signed with Auburn University. In June of 2017, at the age of 25, I was named the youngest head varsity football coach in the state of Arizona when I was hired at Douglas High School. Douglas is a 4A school on the border of Arizona and Mexico. When I arrived they had less than 35 players total in the entire program. From 2017-2018 we improved as a team from 0-10 to 8-2 in one off-season, while breaking over 25 school records including most regular season wins in the 110 year history of the program. We broke 15 offensive school records including Total Offense and yards per game. We grew the program to over 75 players and raised the overall GPA of the team from 2.2 to 2.75 in just 17 months. Last season in 2019 I was the Recruiting Coordinator and Linebackers coach at Brevard College in North Carolina. We went 8-2 and won the school’s first ever bowl game defeating Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, PA. Our Defense at Brevard College was #1 in the USA south conference; setting several school records, including being ranked top 15 in the NCAA in takeaways. I have also worked in sales for garage flooring and real estate investment companies as well.

 

Tell us a little about your daily work:

I am coaching Football, mentoring student athletes, working in Sales, and working on completing my Masters Degree in Sports Administration (May 2021).

What’s one surprising thing we don’t know about you?

I got married in February 2020 to Corrine Garcia, who is a 2013 alumni of Horizon Honors and was a volleyball player there as well.

 

While you were at VCS, which teachers, coaches or classmates had the biggest impact on you?

Drew Streeter- Helped prepare me for college level writing courses.

Bill Morgan- Best Football Coach in VC history thus far.

Michael & Perry Fraley- How to be a successful Christian athlete on and off the field.

 

How do you stay connected with your friends from Valley and VCS?

Through social media (Twitter & Instagram) and group chat.

 

What’s one lasting memory you have of VCS?

Winning the 2009 State Championship in football in the NAU Dome.

 

Do you have any advice for current students?

Relax and trust in the Lord; He will guide you. Don’t be anxious or overwhelmed; He has a plan for you. Just work hard, serve Christ, and it will all work out.

 

 

Anything else you want us to know?

 

I played three sports at VC (Football, Basketball, Track) and was a State champion in Track (2009) and Football (2009).
I was a two time first team All State Defensive Back, school record holder for career interceptions (14).

 

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