Reed Peterson coached high school athletics at Mesa High School for 36 years (1949-85). Peterson was a head coach in five different sports and only had two losing seasons during that entire span. His football teams were 98-58-2 with two divisional titles and five league crowns. His JV football teams were 80-7. Peterson was a top assistant for legendary Mesa coach Mutt Ford for five years. The Jackrabbits were State Champions three times and runners-up the other two years during that span. Peterson was also honored as a member of the Mesa Sports Hall of Fame. Coach Peterson passed away on March 30, 2016.