“Football was how I connected with him” These words from Noah Fifita encapsulate the deep-rooted influence his father had on his journey. As the rising star quarterback for the Arizona Wildcats, the unwavering support and guidance of his parents, Les and Winnona Fifita, has significantly shaped Noah’s path. Their involvement, from coaching to emotional support, has been crucial in his development both on and off the field.

Les Fifita began his coaching journey unexpectedly when someone asked him to coach Noah’s flag football team. This initial involvement turned into a long-term commitment, leading to the establishment of the Orange County Buckeyes, a program for young athletes. Les credits coaching for much of what he has today, stating, “Thank God that I did end up coaching because a lot of the things I have in my life now are because of coaching Noah and then meeting the boys and kind of building our program and our life around that.”

Fifita’s parents and their influence

Les’s coaching philosophy is rooted in his experiences as a player and coach. He admits to being a talented but undisciplined player who often tried to do the least amount of work possible. This background informs his strict yet nurturing coaching style, which emphasizes hard work and preparation. On an interview with PHNX Sports, Les shares a narrative about Noah’s flexibility under pressure: “When Noah was 10, I’d go live on the quarterback and we’d start hitting them for the last 15-20 minutes of practice”. This tough love approach prepared Noah for high-pressure situations, fostering his cool demeanor on the field​​​​ as evident from his 82 PFF grade.

Besides his father’s coaching, the competitive environment of Servite High School, where he played in the elite Trinity League in Southern California, also influenced Noah’s development. Noah’s performance in Servite’s rigorous football program helped him to stand out. During a match against Washsington State, Noah went for 342 yards and 34 passes, leading Wildcats towards victory. This links back to how Les had prepped Noah to handle pressure in crucial moments.

Winnona Fifita, Noah’s mother, plays a vital but often understated role in his life. People describe her as the backbone of the family, providing essential support and stability. Les attributes many of Noah’s best qualities to Winnona, saying, “She’s everything I’m not. All the great qualities you see in Noah, brain, personality, that’s her”. Her behind-the-scenes support, from managing the family’s daily routines to providing emotional stability, has been crucial in Noah’s upbringing​​.

Further, his commitment to Arizona also stems from the family-like environment that he has experienced there so far.

Recruitment and commitment to Arizona

The relationships he built with the University of Arizona’s coaching staff heavily influenced Noah’s recruitment process. Noah was impressed by the attention to detail and consistent communication from the staff, which included the family in every step of the process. This relationship-based approach paid off in a big way because Noah agreed to commit to Arizona.

Les further mentioned on the PHNX Sports interview that he encouraged Noah to join the Wildcats, stating, “Arizona was there first. They fell in love with you early. Go where you’re wanted, go where they’re recruiting you and they’re gonna be loyal to you”​​​​. Even after Noah committed, the Arizona coaching staff continued their supportive communication, which reinforced their decision and demonstrated the family-oriented culture in Arizona. This ongoing support has been crucial in Noah’s transition to college football.

As reported by Arizona Sports, his performance during his freshman year included setting a program record with a 72.4% completion percentage, and leading the Wildcats to a victory over Oklahoma in the Alamo Bowl. This validated the family’s decision to trust Arizona’s commitment and coaching​