School History | McClintock Football

The history of McClintock Chargers Football stretches back to the very beginning of McClintock High School itself. As Tempe rapidly expanded during the 1960s, McClintock was created as the second high school in the Tempe Union High School District. Before McClintock’s campus was ready, its students attended afternoon sessions at Tempe High during the 1964–65 school year. The new campus opened in January 1965, and with it began a football program that would eventually become one of the most respected programs in Arizona high school football.

At the center of the program’s beginning was legendary head coach Karl Kiefer, the first head football coach in McClintock history. The Chargers began varsity competition in the mid-1960s, and Kiefer quickly established a culture built around toughness, discipline, preparation, and winning. McClintock initially did not have its own stadium and played home games at Arizona State University’s Goodwin Stadium. The program also developed an intense rivalry with Tempe High School, with the rivalry becoming so popular that games between the two schools were often played at ASU facilities to accommodate the crowds.

Under Coach Kiefer, McClintock developed into an Arizona football powerhouse. By the end of the 1970s, the Chargers had established themselves among the state’s elite programs. A 1980 Arizona football publication described McClintock as having the best record of any Class AAA program in Arizona during the 1970s, with an 83–23–1 record and a .783 winning percentage during the decade.

The breakthrough came in 1977. McClintock completed a perfect 14–0 season and captured the program’s first AAA State Championship, defeating Washington High School 14–9 in the championship game. It was the first major milestone in what would become a championship tradition.

Only three years later, the Chargers were champions again. The 1980 McClintock team finished 12–2 and defeated Trevor Browne 34–7 to capture the program’s second AAA State Championship.

McClintock remained one of Arizona’s premier programs throughout the 1980s. In 1983, the Chargers returned to the AAA State Championship Game, finishing 11–3 and earning a state runner-up finish after falling to undefeated Mountain View.

The Kiefer era reached another high point in 1989, when McClintock captured its third state championship. The Chargers finished 13–2 and defeated defending champion Westwood 42–14 in the 5A State Championship Game.

One of the driving forces behind that championship was running back Brian Drew. During his legendary senior season, Drew rushed for 1,668 yards on 239 carries and scored 38 touchdowns. In the state championship game at Sun Devil Stadium, he delivered when the Chargers needed him most, rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns while also intercepting two passes on defense. Drew’s performance helped secure McClintock’s third state championship and cemented his place among the greatest players in program history.

The 1989 championship became the perfect closing chapter to Kiefer’s remarkable run at McClintock. Across more than two decades leading the Chargers, he built McClintock into a program recognized throughout Arizona. Kiefer eventually finished his overall head-coaching career with more than 300 victories and was later recognized as one of the greatest coaches in Arizona high school football history.

McClintock’s history is also defined by the outstanding players who wore the red, white, and blue.

Art Greathouse became one of the most accomplished running backs in school history. Playing for McClintock from 1982–1986, Greathouse earned All-Conference, All-City, All-State, and All-American recognition and helped the Chargers rise as high as No. 6 nationally. He remains McClintock’s all-time leading rusher. Greathouse went on to play at the University of Arizona, where he earned Freshman All-American and All-Pac-10 recognition before playing professionally.

Anthony Parker was another standout from the Kiefer era. A multi-sport athlete at McClintock from 1980–1984, Parker went on to play defensive back at Arizona State University before beginning a lengthy professional football career. He played nine seasons in the NFL and recorded 15 career interceptions.

Decades later, Terry “Tank” Johnson added another chapter to the McClintock legacy. Johnson spent his senior season with the Chargers in 1999, playing defensive line and tight end before continuing his career at the University of Washington. He developed into an All-Pac-10 defensive lineman and was selected by the Chicago Bears in the second round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Johnson played seven NFL seasons and was a member of the Bears team that reached Super Bowl XLI.

McClintock has produced numerous other talented players who continued their careers in college and professional football, creating a tradition that stretches across generations.

From its beginnings in the mid-1960s to the present day, McClintock Football has been an important part of the athletic history of Tempe, Arizona. What started without even having a true home stadium developed into one of the state’s most recognizable football programs.

The numbers tell part of the story: three State Championships in 1977, 1980 and 1989, a state runner-up finish in 1983, undefeated championship football, All-State and All-American players, Division I athletes, NFL players, and one of the most accomplished coaches in Arizona high school football history.

But the legacy of McClintock Football extends beyond championships and individual accomplishments. Generations of players have worn the Charger uniform, competed against longtime rivals, represented their school and community, and helped build the tradition inherited by every player who comes after them.