Aztec Coaching Staff
PJ Rovinelli Jr. –
Varsity Head Coach
Coach PJ is entering his third season as Head Coach, where he was awarded USA Lacrosse Coach of the Year for his leadership establishing a new culture with the Aztecs.
Coach PJ has coached over a decade in Arizona, including UofA, ASU and Grand Canyon University.
During his 7-year high school span, split between Desert Vista and Chaparral High School, Coach PJ has compiled a 88-42 (67%) record, with two semi-final and three state final appearances, winning one with Chaparral in 2011. Those teams have developed over 32 All-State player selections, 3 All-Americans and 3 Academic All-Americans. In 2022, coach was award A.L.L Assistant Coach of the Year for the DV Thunder after their finish as state runner up. After his first year with the Aztecs, PJ was awarded Arizona Lacrosse League's Coach of the Year.
A Massachusetts native, he was a high school All-American lacrosse goalie, state champion wrestler, and all-conference football player, captaining all three teams. In 2021, he was inducted into Framingham High School’s Hall-of-Fame.
Coach PJ continued both his lacrosse and wrestling careers at NCAA DIII Springfield College (MA), where he earned 2x Academic All-American wrestler, Dual-Sport Athlete of the Year, and Male Scholar Athlete of the Year honors. He graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Business Management. One year out of college, Coach PJ started his coaching career.
Professionally, he serves as the Director of Talent Development at Ewing Outdoor Supply and owner of Humanics Coaching, LLC.
Coach PJ resides in Tempe, AZ with his wife Mallory, son Parker (a lacrosse player!), daughter Ruby Lee, and dog Sunny. When he is not coaching, Coach PJ and his family are serving at their local church, and searching for good food while thinking about where they want to travel next.
While coach PJ’s systems have evolved over the years, his foundational philosophies have not, which include building servant-leaders with strong character and a relentless work ethic. His passion to develop both the sport and people are his form of paying forward everything his coaches provided him.
Keiren Kelly, "Coach Beard" –
JV Assistant Coach
Coach Kieran, AKA “Coach Beard”, was born in Lansdale, PA but grew up in Maryland. Coach attended Patuxent High School in Lusby, MD. His dad was a coach and both Coach Keiren and his dad helped build their local lacrosse programs.
Coach Beard continued his lacrosse career playing club lacrosse at the University of Maryland. In addition to playing, he is a lacrosse official. Keiren spent four years as a lacrosse referee.
Coach Beard relocated to Phoenix, AZ in 2020 and works as a Fire Protection Engineer. Coach Beard is entering his third year of coaching high school lacrosse and his passion and coaching principles are well aligned with our Corona staff. In his free time, Coach Beard is a sports fan, who enjoys fly fishing and mountain biking.
Coach Beard’ Favorite Snack: Sweet Chili Doritos
Joe Petersen –
JV Defensive Coordinator
Coach Joe started his lacrosse career in 7th grade, for the Ozaukee Wolf Pack Lacrosse Club. From his first practice he fell in love with the sport and never wanted to stop playing. He joined the Golden Eagles Lacrosse Club for summer lacrosse. When coach Joe got to high school, the sport had changed his mindset and pushed him to go to college, to continue playing the sport.
Coach Joe’s high school career was littered with obstacles and difficulties that he overcame with hard work. He played three years on the Ozaukee Wolf Pack and one year on the Lakeshore Lacrosse club, receiving two first team all conference awards for LSM, second team all conference award for offensive midfielder, and captain of the 2017 Wolf Pack. In addition he played on several club summer teams; Golden Eagles Elite, Shark Attack(which he helped create), Gulf State Elite, and Shred Thread National. Coach Joe also played all over the country in showcases including the Battle of the States showcase, where he played in the All-Star game.
Coach Joe started his College career at Dominican College in Orangeburg New York, playing NCAA DII. After a 3-11 season, and a family addition of his nephew, coach Joe transferred home to Concordia University Wisconsin to play NCAA DIII, where he played an additional four years. Coach Joe due to his hard work, was asked to play internationally by the Student Athlete World USA Lacrosse team, where they played in portugal and won the Gold medal in the Lisboa Lacrosse Cup.
After graduating in 2023, coach Joe relocated to Arizona with his Fiance and sought out to give back to the sport that gave him so much, by coaching. Joe is starting his third season with the program. Coach Joe’s goal is to not only teach the next generation of lacrosse players how to play, but also to inspire them to play at the next level.
Coach Joe’s favorite snack: Chocolate Milk, and Bosco Sticks from Kwik Trip
