High School

Arizona High School Adds Ex-NFL RB To Coaching Staff

Ryan Torain joins coaching staff at North High School in Arizona.

Dana Becker

November 20, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain (46) is introduced during pre game ceremonies against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images
November 20, 2011; Landover, MD, USA; Washington Redskins running back Ryan Torain (46) is introduced during pre game ceremonies against the Dallas Cowboys at FedEx Field. The Cowboys won 27-24 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images / Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

A former NFL running back has been added to the coaching staff at an Arizona high school.

According to a post on social media, North High School in Arizona has named Ryan Torian its running backs coach for the 2026 season.

Torain was a standout at Topeka West High School and Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Kansas before taking the junior college path to Arizona State University.

At Arizona State, Torain earned all-Pac-10 honors, running for almost 1,800 yards with 17 total touchdowns in two seasons. The Denver Broncos selected Torain in the 2008 NFL Draft in hte fifth round, but a fractured elbow sent him to the sidelines.

Injuries Hindered NFL Career Of Ryan Torain

Torain made his NFL debut later that year and started his first game, rushing 12 times for 68 yards vs. the Cleveland Browns. He tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and missed the restof the season.

He would have stints with the Washington Redskins and New York Giants before retiring from the NFL.

Former NFL RB Joins New Coaching Staff At North High School In Arizona

Now, Torain and new North head football coach Grant Sanders have a tall task ahead of them in building up the program. The Mustangs went 3-7 last year, winning three of five after starting the season 0-5.

“Excited to announce, one of my best friends and coach will be joining me,” Sanders posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

During that season-ending run, North scored three shutout wins over Central, South Mountain and Browne. Freshman Koa Williams is the leading returning rusher, having ran for 73 yards on nine carries last year.

Published
Dana Becker
DANA BECKER

Dana Becker has been a sports writer in Iowa since 2000, writing for The Fort Dodge Messenger, Mason City Globe-Gazette, Cedar Rapids Gazette and others. Dana resides in northcentral Iowa and started as a writer with SB Live Sports in 2022 focused on the state of Iowa. Along with providing coverage of football and wrestling, Dana also spotlights cross country, swimming, basketball, track and field, soccer, tennis, golf, baseball and softball. He began writing for High School on SI in 2023.

Home/Arizona