Our Story
How two coaches turned their passion for developing young people into a program that has transformed thousands of lives.
From the Football Field to Changing Lives
Eagle Ranch Academy was founded with one clear purpose: to help struggling teens rediscover their potential and reunite families.
In 2005, brothers Paul and Dave Arslanian took a bold step. After decades of coaching football at the highest levels—Division I universities, the Canadian Football League, and the XFL—they recognized that the principles they used to transform young athletes could help a different group of young people: troubled teens who had lost their way.
They saw that the same things that turned struggling players into champions—structure, accountability, genuine relationships, and teaching values over compliance—could help teenagers facing anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, and family conflict find their path forward.
Built on Coaching, Driven by Purpose
Paul and Dave Arslanian brought a lifetime of experience developing young people to Eagle Ranch Academy.
Why Coaches?
Throughout their coaching careers at Northern Arizona University, Utah State, San Jose State, the BC Lions, and other programs, Paul and Dave worked with hundreds of young athletes. Many came from difficult backgrounds—broken homes, poverty, trauma. Without football, many would have ended up in jail or worse.
But with the right structure, mentorship, and values-based approach, these young men transformed. They became leaders. They graduated. They built successful lives.
"Every year in coaching, we had players who without football could have been dead or in jail. Now we have a school full of kids that without Eagle Ranch, they'd be facing the same fate. Our coaching sons are making an incredible impact on these important kids and their families."
The Arslanian brothers realized they could apply the same principles—teaching accountability, building genuine relationships, focusing on character development over compliance—to help any struggling teen, not just athletes.
A Different Approach
When Paul and Dave looked at existing teen treatment programs, they saw a problem. Most used behavior modification—point systems, rewards, and levels to control behavior. But that's not how the real world works. And it rarely creates lasting change.
Drawing on what worked on the field, they developed the Choice-Based, Core Value Behavioral Change Model. Instead of manipulating behavior with rewards, they teach teens to make the right choices because it's the right thing to do.
The 8 Core Values—Accountability, Honesty, Forgiveness, Acceptance, Integrity, Respect, Trust, and Service—became the foundation. These aren't just words on a wall. They're woven into every therapy session, every group activity, every interaction.
A Family Legacy of Developing Young People
The Arslanian brothers didn't learn these principles in a classroom. They learned them at home, from their parents Sark and Verlyn Arslanian.
Sark Arslanian was a Hall-of-Fame football coach—the first football coach at what is now Utah Tech University. He spent his career not just winning games, but building character in young men.
Verlyn, who graduated as Valedictorian from Utah State's Business College, was the heart of the family. Together, they raised six children who went on to raise successful families of their own.
"Sark and Verlyn showed how children in a loving, nurturing, disciplined home will grow and flourish—and then repeat the cycle in their own homes. They are the inspiration behind Eagle Ranch Academy."
Love & Nurturing
A safe environment where teens feel valued
Structure & Discipline
Clear expectations with natural consequences
Family Focus
Reuniting and strengthening families
Values Over Compliance
Teaching character, not just behavior
Key Milestones
Two decades of helping struggling teens and their families find hope.
Eagle Ranch Academy Opens
Paul and Dave Arslanian open Eagle Ranch Academy in St. George, Utah, bringing their coaching experience to teen treatment.
National Recognition
The Montel Williams Show selects Eagle Ranch Academy as the best residential treatment center in the USA for a segment helping families in crisis.
Coral Sands Academy Partnership
Launch of Coral Sands Academy, providing accredited academics that allow students to catch up, stay on track, or get ahead.
CARF Accreditation
Eagle Ranch Academy receives CARF International accreditation, recognizing our commitment to quality and continuous improvement.
Continuing the Mission
After 20+ years, we continue helping struggling teens internalize core values and reuniting families stronger than before.
Mission & Vision
Our Mission
Eagle Ranch Academy is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of struggling teens. Our purpose is to affect the lives of young men and women and their families in a way that creates an attitude of giving rather than taking, and provides a solid foundation for a productive and fulfilling life.
Our Vision
We envision a world where struggling teens receive the support they need to become productive, happy, and successful people—not just for the short term, but for a lifetime. We believe these young people will someday make significant contributions to themselves, their families, and their communities.
In Their Words
The real proof is in the lives we've helped transform.
The 8 core values at Eagle Ranch Academy helped me become the man I am today. I went from a kid with no self-worth—I couldn't stand myself or other people, and just wanted to be alone in my room and sit in my own sorrow. ERA changed everything.
Two days ago I got accepted into business school at the University of Minnesota! They only take 150 people a year. Part of the application was writing an essay on something that changed your life, and I wrote about attending ERA. I think they really liked that!
I came to Eagle Ranch Academy as a person who hated herself, hated life, and couldn't find hope. About 3 or 4 months into my stay, I started wanting to live. Now, I love the woman I have become. I know I deserve to be happy and feel confident for the rest of my life.
My therapist described me as being at 211°, close to boiling point, at all times. However, I'm leaving with the ability to let those small things stay small. Without the love and support from the staff, I wouldn't have achieved the great strides I have.
Become Part of Our Story
For over 20 years, we've helped struggling teens and their families find hope. Let us help yours.