Dick Bruich
Encyclopedia
Richard "Dick" Bruich is an American
retired High School football coach. While active, he led two different Southern California High School football programs to championships. His overall prep head coaching record is 292-84-4.
, Nebraska
in 1947 to Anton and Rita Bruich. The family moved to Pico Rivera
, California
in 1959. Bruich attended and played football for Cantwell High School, graduating in 1965. In 1968 he married Cathy Cendejas. Married for over 40 years, the couple has raised 3 children, Kristen, Kyle and Kurt, all of whom have gone on to become teachers. Kurt is also a successful head football coach at Redlands East Valley High School
in Redlands
, California
.
, and then in 1969 he joined the staff at St. Paul High School
in Santa Fe Springs
, California
, where he was named the defensive coordinator. During his tenure, the team won the CIF
and state championship in 1972 under head coach Marijon Ancich
.
as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, under head coach John Tyree. The Steelers reached the CIF Division 4A title game in 1976, but lost.
In 1977 Bruich succeeded Tyree as head coach of the Fontana High School football program. During his 22-year tenure Fontana won the 1987 National Championship, two state championships, two CIF championships, one CIF runner-up, four CIF semi-final appearances, twelve Citrus League titles, and twenty-two consecutive playoff berths.
opened Henry J. Kaiser High School. Bruich moved to the new school and began building a team. Before retiring in 2009, he led Kaiser to a state championship, two CIF championships, one CIF runner-up, two CIF semi-final appearances, eight Sunkist League titles, and eight consecutive playoff berths.
, defensive back, Chicago Bears
(1981–82) and San Diego Chargers
(1983–84)
Lonyae Miller
, running back, Dallas Cowboys
(2009–present)
R.J. Soward, receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
(2000), Toronto Argonauts
(CFL) (2004–06)
Jason Shirley
, offensive lineman, Cincinnati Bengals
(2008-present)
David Carter
, defensive lineman, Arizona Cardinals (2011-present)
Chris Carter
, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
(2011-present)
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
retired High School football coach. While active, he led two different Southern California High School football programs to championships. His overall prep head coaching record is 292-84-4.
Personal life
Bruich was born in KearneyKearney, Nebraska
Kearney is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska-Kearney....
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
in 1947 to Anton and Rita Bruich. The family moved to Pico Rivera
Pico Rivera, California
Pico Rivera is a city located in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. The city is situated approximately 11 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles, on the eastern edge of the Los Angeles basin, and on the southern edge of the area known as the San Gabriel Valley...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1959. Bruich attended and played football for Cantwell High School, graduating in 1965. In 1968 he married Cathy Cendejas. Married for over 40 years, the couple has raised 3 children, Kristen, Kyle and Kurt, all of whom have gone on to become teachers. Kurt is also a successful head football coach at Redlands East Valley High School
Redlands East Valley High School
Redlands East Valley High School is a public high school in Redlands, California, near the San Bernardino Mountains. The school opened in the 1997-1998 school year as part of the Redlands Unified School District.-Colors and mascot:The official school colors of REV are red, white and black...
in Redlands
Redlands, California
Redlands is a city in San Bernardino County, California, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 68,747, up from 63,591 at the 2000 census. The city is located east of downtown San Bernardino.- History :...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Early coaching career
In 1966, while attending college at Los Angeles State University, he took an assistant coaching job at his alma mater, Cantwell High School. He subsequently moved on to another assistant coaching job at Pius X High SchoolPius X High School, Downey, California
Pius X High School was a co-educational, private, four year high school located at 7851 Gardendale Street, in the city of Downey, California...
, and then in 1969 he joined the staff at St. Paul High School
St. Paul High School (Santa Fe Springs, California)
St. Paul High School is a Catholic, co-educational high school serving the Gateway Cities of Los Angeles County owned and operated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and was founded in 1956. The campus is located in Santa Fe Springs approximately 14 miles east of downtown Los...
in Santa Fe Springs
Santa Fe Springs, California
Santa Fe Springs is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is one of the Gateway Cities of southeast Los Angeles County. The population was 16,223 at the 2010 census, down from 17,438 at the 2000 census....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, where he was named the defensive coordinator. During his tenure, the team won the CIF
California Interscholastic Federation
The California Interscholastic Federation is the governing body for high school sports in the state of California. It mirrors similar governing bodies in other states; however, it differs from some of the others in that it covers most high schools in the state of California, both public and...
and state championship in 1972 under head coach Marijon Ancich
Marijon Ancich
Marijon Ancich is a high school football coach at St. Paul High School in Santa Fe Springs, California. Still coaching, he is already the winningest high school football coach in California history with a record of 344-123-4, as of the 2008 high school football season...
.
Fontana High School
In 1975 Bruich joined the staff at Fontana High SchoolFontana High School
Fontana High School is a secondary public school in Fontana, California in the Fontana Unified School District. Fontana High serves grades 9 through 12....
as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, under head coach John Tyree. The Steelers reached the CIF Division 4A title game in 1976, but lost.
In 1977 Bruich succeeded Tyree as head coach of the Fontana High School football program. During his 22-year tenure Fontana won the 1987 National Championship, two state championships, two CIF championships, one CIF runner-up, four CIF semi-final appearances, twelve Citrus League titles, and twenty-two consecutive playoff berths.
Kaiser High School
In 1999, the Fontana Unified School DistrictFontana Unified School District
Fontana Unified School District is located in and serves most of the city of Fontana, California, a community in San Bernardino County about 50 miles east of Los Angeles. The district contains 45 schools, which serve students from K-12 to adult education. It was established in the 1920s and unified...
opened Henry J. Kaiser High School. Bruich moved to the new school and began building a team. Before retiring in 2009, he led Kaiser to a state championship, two CIF championships, one CIF runner-up, two CIF semi-final appearances, eight Sunkist League titles, and eight consecutive playoff berths.
Championships
20 league championships in football (4 CIF and 3 State) and one national championship.Notable players
Reuben HendersonReuben Henderson
Reuben Stanley Henderson is a former professional American football player who played cornerback for four seasons for the Chicago Bears and the San Diego Chargers.-Personal life:...
, defensive back, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1981–82) and San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1983–84)
Lonyae Miller
Lonyae Miller
Lonyae Miller is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at Fresno State.-Dallas Cowboys:...
, running back, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
(2009–present)
R.J. Soward, receiver, Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a professional American football team based in Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(2000), Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
(CFL) (2004–06)
Jason Shirley
Jason Shirley
Jason Shirley is an American football defensive tackle for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft...
, offensive lineman, Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
(2008-present)
David Carter
David Carter (defensive lineman)
David Carter is an American football nose tackle for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at UCLA.-External links:...
, defensive lineman, Arizona Cardinals (2011-present)
Chris Carter
Chris Carter (linebacker)
Chris Carter is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He played college football at Fresno State....
, linebacker, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
(2011-present)
Coaching awards
- Coach of the Year CIF SS in 1987, 1989, 2002 and 2003;
- California State Coach of the Year in 1989;
- Coach of the Year, San Bernardino Sun in 1979, 1984, 1987, 1988, and 1992;
- Coach of the Decade, San Bernardino Sun in 2000;
- Coach of the Year, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin in 1979, 1984, 1987, 1989, and 2002;
- Coach of the Year, Riverside Press Enterprise in 1989 and 2002;
Halls of Fame
- California Coaches Association,
- Southern California Interscholastic Football Coaches Association,
- National High School Athletic Coaches Association,
- National Football Foundation;
Community recognition
- City of Fontana Wall of Fame
- February 18, 2003 was proclaimed “Dick Bruich Day” in the City of Fontana.