Gilbert Perry High School football coach Jeremy Hathcock will undergo triple-bypass heart surgery on Wednesday, Oct. 7.
The Chandler Unified School District shared a letter sent to the Perry football community on Oct. 6 that Hathcock will have surgery and that Justin Clare will serve as the interim coach.
It is not certain how long Hathcock will be out. Hathcock knew last week that he needed the surgery but coached his team's gameagainst Gilbert Higley on Thursday, Oct. 1. Perry lost, 45-42.
In the letter to Perry families and students, it reads, "Head coach Jeremy Hathcock will undergo triple bypass heart surgery on Wednesday. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we wish him a successful surgery and a smooth recovery.
"Please respect his
privacy by allowing him time to rest and heal without calls, texts, or other direct contact until Saturday. Your understanding is a meaningful way to support him during this time."
The letter said Clare will serve as interim head coach.
Hathcock, 54,told The Republic last weekthat there was 90% blockage in his arteries. He said he felt good, but believed it was best to have the surgery done sooner than waiting until after the season.
He had seen a doctor for a routine exam. A heart scan revealed a blockage. Further tests were conducted Sept. 30, the day before his team's game against Higley.
This is a bye week for Perry (4-2). Its next game is Oct. 16 at home against Mesa Westwood.
Richard Obert has been covering high school sports since the 1980s for The Arizona Republic. Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. To suggest human-interest story ideas and other news, reach Obert at richard.obert@arizonarepublic.com or 602-316-8827. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter:@azc_obert
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Perry football coach Jeremy Hathcock to undergo heart surgery
