Miles Smith has reportedly resigned as Desert Ridge High School's football coach after weeks of controversy surrounding the program, including the dismissal of its starting quarterback and the suspension of 12 players who supported him.
A Desert Ridge player’s parent confirmed the resignation to the Arizona Republic — part of the USA TODAY Network — on Monday, Oct. 19.
However, according to The Republic’s reporting, Dawn Mackay, chief communications and community engagement officer for Gilbert Public Schools, said an official resignation hadn’t been received as of Monday evening.
The reported resignation marks another major development for the Mesa, Arizona, program, which has faced scrutiny over its handling of the dispute.
The controversy began
Oct. 5, when Smith dismissed senior quarterback Gunner Brewer after Brewer changed a play during a 14-12 victory over Vail Cienega three days earlier.
Twelve teammates subsequently walked out of an Oct. 7 team meeting in support of Brewer and were suspended for the remainder of the season. Five of the suspended players were seniors.
Brewer returned to support his teammates during Desert Ridge's Oct. 15 game against Corona del Sol, even as questions remained about whether the suspended players would be allowed to return.
Smith's resignation adds another layer of uncertainty for the Jaguars, who entered the season looking to rebuild after going 0-10 in 2025.
Smith's father and former NFL head coach, Lovie Smith, served as a volunteer assistant and is also leaving the program's coaching staff, according to The Republic’s reporting.
The situation drew further attention Oct. 9, when Lovie Smith was involved in a heated confrontation with a football booster before a game against Mesa Red Mountain.
Desert Ridge is scheduled to play at Gilbert Highland on Friday, Oct. 23. The program's coaching situation and the status of the suspended players remain key questions heading into the final weeks of the season.
Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X at @AlexMartinUSAT or via email: amartin@usatodayco.com. For additional high school sports coverage, be sure to follow USA TODAY High School Sports on Instagram and X.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Arizona high school football coach resigns after weeks of turmoil
