The Casa Grande Union High School District announced on its Facebook page Friday the passing Thursday of Vista Grande athletic director Louie Ramirez II, who was the head football coach at Marana from 2018 to 2020.
Ramirez, 31, was in his third school year at Vista Grande after serving as an assistant football coach at Scottsdale Saguaro following his departure from Marana.
“Mr. Ramirez was deeply passionate about his work, always striving to do what was best for our students and the athletes he coached. His dedication and spirit will be profoundly missed,” the Casa Grande Union High School District Facebook post states.
Reason for his death was not disclosed.
Before Ramirez came to Marana, he worked as a graduate assistant at Northern Arizona and as an assistant coach at Tempe Marcos de Niza and Gilbert Mesquite. He is a Mesquite and Arizona State alum.
“Moving forward, I wish nothing but the best for Marana High School as the next coach will have a phenomenal pool of talent to be successful,” Ramirez wrote in a social media post when he resigned at Marana. “The culture is here and the kids are hungry.”
Ramirez coached quarterback Trenton Bourguet when Bourguet was a senior at Marana. He also coached former Arizona offensive lineman Jordan Morgan, who is now with the Green Bay Packers after being a first-round draft pick.
Current head coach Phillip Steward served as an assistant on Ramirez’s staff for one season before becoming the head coach in 2021.
“Louie was a good guy,” Steward mentioned in a text message. “He hired me back in 2020 and pushed for me to become the head coach here at Marana.
“I appreciate Louie and what he did to get my coaching career started here in Southern Arizona. He will truly be missed. Once a Tiger, always a Tiger.”
Former CDO coach Dustin Peace, one of the longest tenured coaches in Southern Arizona before he resigned after last season, mentioned about Louie Ramirez II:
“I am so saddened to hear about the loss of Coach Ramirez. He was a great leader of men and will be truly missed by the football community. My whole heart goes out to his family. I pray for their peace.”
AllSportsTucson.com extends our condolences to Ramirez’s family, former players, friends and associates.
Finally have some time to reflect. Still very stunned. The last time I saw Louie was on the sideline during Salpointe’s 5A championship game with Scottsdale Horizon in 2021 at what was then Sun Devil Stadium. I felt a tap from behind on my shoulder and it was him. He gave me a… https://t.co/SeQCB8uVpq
— Javier Morales (@JavierJMorales) August 10, 2024
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