After leaving Saguaro, Harris coached at Desert Vista High School initially as a freshman coach, and later as a varsity assistant. While at DV Harris had a variety of roles, responsibilities and duties including receiver coach, defensive back coach, and Offensive Coordinator. Harris worked with many players at DV including standouts Bobby Wade (U of A and NFL receiver) and Zack Miller (ASU and Oakland Raiders TE). The Thunder we’re a regular playoff participant during Harris’ years there and his players were major contributors to the Thunder’s success. Harris left the Thunder in 2004 to spend time with his family and watch his son finish his senior season at Mountain Pointe High School.
In 2004 Harris was hired as a receiver coach and passing game coordinator with Brophy College Preparatory. Brophy won the 5A-1 State Championship over nationally ranked and consecutive game winning record-holder Hamilton High School. It was the school's first ever football championship - covering a span of 80 years. Harris was very instrumental in the game-winning drive that sealed the win--The Broncos drove 99 yards in less than 5 minutes--with Harris' receivers playing a pivotal role in the outcome. Harris' players made critical catches including a 4th and 18 yard conversion and the game winning TD catch.
In 2007, Harris took over a football program that on average had not won more than 2 games over the past 15 years and hadn't won a championship in 29 years. Moving from Arizona to Buffalo, Harris revitalized Canisius High School; a prominent Jesuit Catholic school in Western New York.
In Canisius' first season, the team won 7 games and made it to the MMHS-AA Championship game but were defeated. Harris followed up the improbable championship run and 2nd place finish in his first season with an encore in 2008. The Crusaders finished 1st in league play going undefeated earning a consecutive championship game appearance but failed to win; again posting a runner-up finish. In 2009, the Crusaders again finished league play undefeated and closed the season winning the championship over 80-year rival St. Joe's 58-34. A remarkable turnaround in 3 years!
In 2010 the Crusaders finished 7-3 with prominent wins over two national programs: Cathedral Prep (Erie, PA) - the first NY state team to beat them in over 15 years, and Walsh Jesuit (OH) - no NY team had beaten an Ohio team in 20 years.
While at Canisius Harris was honored as a Buffalo Bills High School Coach of The Year finalist the past two seasons.
Harris' on field success has carried over to off-field gains for his players who desire to play college football. Since taking over the Canisius program he has placed 33 players in Division 1 and 1AA schools on athletic scholarship.
Coach Harris has enjoyed great success as a coach and attributes much of it to his faith, family and the generosity of his coaching network which is directly linked from his playing career to the best and brightest coaches in the profession today. Harris’ direct affiliations include: Scott Linehan, Bobby Petrino, Dennis Erickson, Curtis Johnson, John L. Smith, Eric Yarber and Donnie Henderson.
Harris is married to the former Ms. Cooper, Shelly Renee and they have 3 children; son, Skylar (22) daughters Gabrielle (14) and Danyelle (12).
PCUS is pleased to welcome Coach Harris and the entire Harris family to the Phoenix Christian community.
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