Desert Ridge High School football coach Miles Smith has reportedly resigned from the program.
For weeks, the team was swallowed in controversy after Smith took issue with starting quarterback Gunner Brewer for changing a play during Desert Ridge’s 14-12 victory over Vail Cienega on Oct. 2.
Smith, who is the son of former NFL coach Lovie Smith, cut Brewer from the team following the incident. A few days later, 12 players were suspended for the remainder of the season after walking out of a team meeting.
Brewer supported his teammates during Desert Ridge’s game against Corona del Sol on Oct. 15 as questions surrounding suspended players loomed.
The reported resignation by Smith is another incident in the Mesa, Arizona program drama. The Jaguars looked to rebuild after going 0-10 in 2025, but the resignation of Smith only adds to the questions surrounding the team.
Smith’s father, Lovie, served as a volunteer assistant with Desert Ridge and is also leaving the coaching staff. Lovie Smith drew more attention to the situation when he was involved in a heated confrontation with a football booster before a game against Mesa Red Mountain on Oct. 9.
As Desert Ridge enters the final weeks of the season, the program’s coaching staff and status of suspended players remains a mystery.
