Lamar Early, who has been Goodyear Estrella Foothills’ football coach since 2010, is being recommended by Goodyear Millennium to take over its football program, Principal Tamee Gressett said in an email.

Gressett said that Early’s hiring will become official once the Agua Fria Union High School District’s governing board approves it. 

Early could not be reached immediately.

“This hire was more than just a football coach, but a person who will build relationships, have involvement in our campus, and loyalty to Millennium,” Gressett said in the email. “The committee felt that Coach Early was the person who fit this. We are excited and look forward to the positive impact Coach Early will have on our campus.”

Early takes over for James Carter, who resigned just before the start of spring football, citing personal reasons. Carter led Millennium’s football program for one season, going 4-6.

Assistant coach Ryan Desrochers led Millennium’s football team during spring workouts.

Carter went 47-20 with five state playoff appearances in six seasons at Peoria Sunrise Mountain, before he came to Millennium.

After successive 2-8 seasons to begin his career at Estrella Foothills, Early led the Wolves to 7-4 record in 2012. The 2014 team went 8-4 and reached the 3A state quarterfinals, before losing to eventual state champion Mohave Valley River Valley 21-14.

His 2015 team won 10 games and also reached the quarterfinals.

In Estrella Foothills’ first season up a conference in 4A, the Wolves went 5-5.

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