Jeff Anderson

Inducted: 2026

Sport: Swimming

Schools: Dobson

Coach Jeff Anderson swam at Rincon High School from 1970-1973 under Coach Paul Kershner. Anderson matured into a well-rounded swimmer who specialized in the butterfly, backstroke, and freestyle. He was a Co-Captain his senior year as he became the Southern Regional (Tucson) Butterfly Champion and finished 5th at the Arizona State Meet.

Coach Anderson went on to the University of Arizona under Coach Bob Davis in 1973-74. Jeff majored in Social Studies and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1978. Anderson also was a U of A cheerleader for the football program in 1976 and 1977 earning academic tuition both semesters.

Jeff began his coaching career at Rhodes Jr. High School in Mesa teaching Social Studies and coaching swimming at the newly built Dobson High School. His first team had no seniors (new school) and finished 4-7. It would be the last time an Anderson team finished below .500. Swimming in 1979 was a spring sport, but by 1982 it was moved to the Fall. Because Dobson and Mesa were a high neighborhood growth area success was just around the corner. The following six seasons looked like this:

FALL of 1982 - 4 wins, 4 losses

1983 - 5 wins - 3 losses

1984 - 6 wins- 2 losses, 8th in the Regionals, 23rd in the State

1985 - 8 wins, 0 losses, 2nd in the Regionals, 10th in the State

1986 - 7 wins, 0 losses, Regional Champions, Runners-Up at State

1987 - 8 wins, 0 losses, Regional Champions, State Champions

Coach Anderson’s 1987 team was joined by the Girls’ Swim Team and the Football Team as Arizona State Champions. Anderson’s boys defeated the perennial champion Brophy College Prep 232-125. Mesa mayor, Al Brooks, made a Proclamation declaring the week of November 15-21 as “Dobson High School Boys and Girls Swimming and Diving Teams Week!”

Anderson was the Region 8 National Swim Coach of the Year in 2002. Dobson’s 1987 400 Freestyle Relay Squad won State Gold and set a fall season State Record. Then, in 1999, Dobson’s 200 Freestyle Relay Squad won State Gold, set a new State Record and ranked First Place in the Nation.

Under Anderson, Dobson’s  Region Records included 9 consecutive years undefeated in dual meets.

Coach Anderson spent 31 years in the Mesa District and moved with his wife to Bellingham, Washington where he coached another 8 years with tremendous success.