In his first year in charge, Ryan Felker guided an amazing change in Mesa football that saw the T-Birds improve from 1-10 in 2011 to 6-4 in 2012, including an appearance in the Valley of the Sun Bowl..
The Thunderbirds gained the kind of respect from the Western States Football League that they had not seen since the mid-2000s, winning five of their final seven games and challenging for the right to host the Valley of the Sun Bowl.
Numerous players received offers from NCAA Division I schools and the squad gained a total of 11 individual post-season honors.
Felker most recently coached at nearby Scottsdale Community College, holding the positions of defensive coordinator in 2011 and defensive backs coach, as well as recruiting coordinator, in 2010.
Previously he served at Eastern Arizona College for two years as co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach. He also recruited Arizona for the Gila Monsters.
In 2009 his EAC defense finished second in the nation statistically. One cornerback, Prince Ryans, earned All-America, All-Region and All-Conference honors and was the Western States Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year.
In 2008 both of his starting cornerbacks received all-WSFL recognition with one, Jamaine Olson, receiving a full scholarship at Utah State.
Prior to his collegiate experience Felker was a high school coach for nine years, the last six as a head coach.
He frequently speaks at clinics and works off-season football camps for major universities.
Throughout his career Felker has built many valuable relationships with coaches at every level. Recruiting and strong Arizona ties are Felker’s strengths.
Felker is a graduate of Arizona State and has a Masters’ Degree in Technology from Northern Arizona. He, and his wife Regina, have two children, Brett, 12 and Chloe, 10.
He can be reached at 480-461-7582 or by email at ryan.felker@mesacc.edu.
