By Jason W. Brooks
Mail | X: @JasonWBrooks2

Joseph Ortiz, Perry High School’s football coach, is featured as one of the 2024 Arizona Cardinals Latino Heritage Community Spotlights in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

According to a news release, when Coach Ortiz joined the Perry Pumas for the 2022-23 school year, he became the first Hispanic head coach in Chandler Unified School District history.

Ortiz started coaching football when he was age 19 and spent 10 years as an offensive coordinator before becoming a head coach in Glendale.

The Arizona Cardinals Latino Heritage Community Spotlight program highlights local community members, unique success stories, and influential voices making an impact in the Valley.

Ortiz has helped  return Perry football to prominence, as the Pumas won eight games and reached the 6A quarterfinals last year.   Despite Friday's 40-37 loss to CUSD rival Casteel, Ortiz has the Pumas positioned to again help represent the district well, as all six teams have chances to go far in the postseason. 

Ortiz was also one of several Latino-heritage CUSD staff members recognized at a September board meeting.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this topic.  Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Email Jason W. Brooks at jbrooks@iniusa.org.

Jason W. Brooks
News Editor | Chandler Independent

Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.

Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.

Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.

Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.

Community: He supports animal shelters.