Reporter staff

Auburn High School didn’t have to look far to find its next head football coach.

Aaron Chantler, who ran the Trojans offense last season under his father-in-law and coaching legend Gordy Elliott, has been promoted to head coach, the school’s athletic department announced Thursday.

Elliott, the father of the Trojans’ jet sweep spread attack, retired in October after 16 seasons leading the Trojans, and 42 total years of coaching.

“I am excited to work with Aaron Chantler as his coaching philosophy is aligned with the needs of our student athletes,” said Auburn Athletic Director Katie Henry. “He will be able to build on the strong program already established at AHS, and create a team that is respected for their football as well as their character.”

Chantler has extensive football background as a player and coach.

He was a two-time Narrows League Coach of the Year at Gig Harbor, which he lead to two league championships and four state playoff appearances (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016) for the first time in school history.

Previously, Chantler was an assistant coach at Wilson for five years, filling a variety of roles including co-offensive coordinator, head freshman coach and quarterback coach.

As the Trojans offensive coordinator last year, Chantler built a strong relationship with coaches and players.

“During the last 12 years I have refined my coaching philosophy to truly believe that coaching is about relationships, and it is my job as a coach to help the players grow, not only as players, but people as well,” Chantler said. “I have never in my career measured success by how many games we’ve won or lost, instead I measure success by the type of people that exit the program. If they are better versions of themselves, regardless of how many games we won, then that is success.”