Even bigger than the Los Alamitos mascot is the coaching done at the school by John Barnes (in his 34th season).
There wasn’t much suspense that Los Alamitos High players, faculty and fans would be saluting long-time head football coach John Barnes on Thursday night on the occasion of his 300th career victory.
The Griffins jumped ahead early in their Sunset League contest against Marina of Huntington Beach behind the arm of quarterback Cody Marshall, who ended with three touchdown passes, and were leading 39-0 before halftime. They wrapped up a 46-0 triumph, which prompted a trophy presentation and players wearing celebratory t-shirts.
As compilers of the state record book, we could quibble with Barnes’ total (we officially would have him with 298 after Thursday due to forfeits), but for this occasion it’s about the accomplishment. We decided to update the all-time state coaching wins list and have listed the Los Al coach with the 300 total.
The first coach in California to win a 300th game would be Herb Meyer from El Camino of Oceanside. He was followed by Marijon Ancich from St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs and then Bob Ladouceur from De La Salle of Concord. Ladouceur has since moved to No. 1 on the state list and could get to 399 wins this season if the Spartans were to go unbeaten and win a CIF state bowl game.
The next two coaches that could reach 300 are Mission Viejo’s Bob Johnson and Covina Charter Oak’s Lou Farrar. They could start to get close by the middle of next season.
The winningest coach in the history of the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section, Max Miller, also was in the news this week when he decided to step in and coach the team for the rest of the season at Rio Americano of Sacramento. Miller, 72, had been retired and has a grandson on the Rio Americano squad. He is taking over for former Raiders’ coach Christian Mahaffey, who was replaced by the principal earlier in the week along with two assistants. Mahaffey did not support the reinstatement of 11 players by the principal who had been forced off the team for supporting a teammate that wanted to miss one game to attend a baseball showcase in Arizona.
Here is an updated look at the Cal-Hi Sports state football coaching wins category (all those reported with 200 wins or more are included):
MOST ALL-TIME CALIFORNIA COACHING WINS
(Varsity Only; within the state only)
(Reported forfeit wins or losses not included)
(Through games of Thursday, Oct. 4, 2012 with John Barnes’ total including forfeit wins)
389 – Bob Ladouceur, Concord De La Salle, 1979-2012 (24 losses, 3 ties) (current)
360 – Marijon Ancich, Santa Fe Springs St. Paul, 1961-1981, 1993-2005, 2009-2011 & Tustin, 1984-1992 (141 losses, 10 ties)
338 – Herb Meyer, Oceanside, 1959-1975 & Oceanside El Camino, 1976-2003 (150 losses, 14 ties)
300 – John Barnes, Anaheim Magnolia, 1978 & Los Alamitos, 1979-2012 (85 losses, 6 ties) (current)
292 – Dick Bruich, Fontana, 1977-1998 & Fontana Kaiser, 2000-2008 (85 losses, 4 ties)
290 – Leo Robinson, Woodlake, 1962-2002 (127 losses, 11 ties)
289 – Gene Vollnogle, Wilmington Banning, 1957-1962 & Carson, 1963-1990 (73 losses, 1 tie)
283 – Lou Farrar, Covina Charter Oak & Covina Royal Oak, 1977-2012 (107 losses, 5 ties) (current)
283 – Bob Johnson, El Toro, 1979-1990 & Mission Viejo, 1999-2012 (72 losses, 1 tie) (current)
279 – Gary Campbell, Banning, 1969 & Norco, 1970-2003 (115 losses, 4 ties)
272 – Mike Marrujo, Placentia Valencia, 1979-2012 (123 losses, 1 ties) (current)
270 – John Monger, Chino Don Lugo, 1972-1986 & Chino, 1987-2005 (99 losses, 10 ties)
270 – Kevin Rooney, Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 1979-2012 (106 losses, 5 ties) (current)
270 – Steve Denman, Tehachapi, 1982-2012 (96 losses, 4 ties) (current)
269 – Benny Pierce, Saratoga, 1961-1994 (84 losses, 4 ties)
269 – Steve Grady, Los Angeles Loyola, 1976-2004 (77 losses, 6 ties)
266 – Don Markham, Sepulveda Los Angeles Baptist, 1970-72 & Colton, 1973-1983 & La Puente Bishop Amat, 1984 & Riverside Ramona, 1986-88 & Bloomington, 1994-97, 2002-07 & Lawndale Leuzinger, 1999 & Rialto, 2000-01 & Compton (2011) (102 losses, 1 tie)
259 – Larry Welsh, Gonzales, 1966-1975 & Atascadero, 1979-1996 (56 losses, 9 ties)
258 – Max Miller, Costa Mesa, 1969-70 & Sacramento Rio Americano, 1974-80, 2012 & Rancho Cordova, 1981-1993, 1999-2007 & Sacramento Johnson, 1996-97 (104 losses, 4 ties) (current)
258 – Butch Cattolico, Los Gatos, 1986-2012 (59 losses, 7 ties) (current)
249 – Harry Welch, Canyon Country Canyon, 1982-1993 & 2001-2006 & San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret’s, 2007-2009 & Rancho S.M. Santa Margarita, 2010-12 (52 losses, 2 ties) (current)
248 – Dan Shaughnessy, Berkeley St. Mary’s, 1964-65 & Richmond Salesian,1968-1984 & Berkeley St. Mary’s, 1985-2000 & Albany, 2004-05 (131 losses, 6 ties)
248 – Frank Negri, Sacramento Foothill, 1965-2006 & Sacramento Natomas, 2009-2011 (167 losses, 10 ties)
243 – Dwayne DeSpain, Hacienda Heights Los Altos, 1967-1996 (94 losses, 10 ties)
243 – Ed Burke, King City, 1974 & Taft, 1974-1979 & San Diego Torrey Pines,1980-1984, 1991-2006 & Encinitas San Dieguito,1985-1989 (95 losses, 5 ties)
243 – Jeff Engilman, Los Angeles Manual Arts 1979-1984 & Reseda Cleveland 1986 & Sylmar 1987-2003 & Arleta 2007-2010 (79 losses, 2 ties)
243 – Mark Loureiro, Escalon, 1989-2012 (40 losses, 1 tie) (current)
241 – Bennie Edens, San Diego Pt. Loma, 1955-1997 (168 losses, 16 ties)
241 – Mike Herrington, Bellflower 1988 & Newhall Hart, 1989-2012 (67 losses, 2 ties) (current)
237 – Paul Knox, Los Angeles Dorsey, 1985-2012 (93 losses, 3 ties) (current)
236 – Tim Simons, Lennox & Fresno Roosevelt & Clovis, 1975-1999 & Clovis North, 2009-10 (84 losses, 7 ties)
234 – Jack Mahlstede, Santa Fe Springs Santa Fe, 1970-1982 & 1991-2011 (139 losses, 5 ties)
233 – Ron Calcagno, Mountain View St. Francis, 1972-1995 (59 losses, 3 ties)
233 – Bill Redell, Encino Crespi, 1983, 1985-88 & Westlake Village Oaks Christian, 2001-11 (65 losses, 3 ties)
232 – Mike Janda, San Jose Bellarmine, 1984-2012 (losses, ties not reported) (current)
230 – Dan Carmazzi, Carmichael Jesuit, 1981-2011 (103 losses, 3 ties)
230 – Jason Franci, Santa Rosa Montgomery, 1979-2012 (losses, ties not reported) (current)
229 – John Shacklett, San Diego Morse, 1971-2002 (118 losses, 9 ties)
229 – Jack Moyer, Mendocino 1976-1977 & Fort Bragg 1978-2010 (114 losses, 5 ties)
225 – Jim Blewett, Fresno, 1921-25 & Los Angeles Manual Arts, 1926-1938, 1941, 1947-1963 (70 losses, 16 ties)
224 – Wayne Schneider, Tracy, 1965-1972, 1977-1994 (59 losses, 5 ties)
224 – Dick Hill, Downey 1956 & Santa Ana Valley 1959-1979 & Santa Ana 1984-1991 & Orange 1994-1997 (111 losses, 5 ties)
223 – Mike Alberghini, Sacramento Grant, 1991-2012 (41 losses) (current)
222 – Al Cementina, San Jose Lick, 1954-1975 & San Jose Independence, 1976-1988 (91 losses, 9 ties)
222 – Bruce Rollinson, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 1989-2012 (72 losses, 2 ties) (current)
220 – Ned Permenter, Bakersfield Foothill, 1965-2001 (157 losses, 9 ties)
219 – Bob Reid, Anderson, 1970-1999 (93 losses, 5 ties)
219 – Terry Henigan, Cypress, 1976-1979 & Irvine, 1981-2009 (141 losses, 6 ties)
219 – Randy Blankenship, Grass Valley Nevada Union, 1984-1990 & Fresno Clovis West, 1991-98 & Fallbrook, 1999-2000 & Granbury (Texas), 2001 & Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, 2002 & Madera, 2003-08 & Aptos, 2010-12 (82 losses, 6 ties) (current)
217 – Ed Lloyd, Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman, 1966-1985 & Santa Rosa Piner, 1986-1991 & Sebastopol Analy, 1994-95 (64 losses, 9 ties)
217 – Matt Sweeney, Pleasanton Foothill, 1986-2006, 2010-12 (75 losses, 5 ties) (current)
216 – John Carroll, Oceanside, 1987-2012 (70 losses, 6 ties) (current)
215 – Tom Zunino, Vacaville, 1961-1997 (141 losses, 11 ties)
215 – Jeff Brinkley, Newport Beach Newport Harbor, 1986-2012 (99 losses, 3 ties) (current)
214 – Ed Buller, San Jose Oak Grove, 1982-89, 1994-2008 (39 losses, 3 ties)
214 – Paul Perenon, Oakland Bishop O’Dowd, 1985-2009 & Hayward Mt. Eden, 2010-12 (95 losses, 2 ties) (current)
213 – Bill Craven, Garden Grove Pacifica, 1974-2003 (93 losses, 8 ties)
212 – Jim Arnaiz, La Mesa Helix, 1972-1999 (losses, ties not reported)
212 – Willie Donerson, Compton Dominguez, 1984-2007 (67 losses)**
211 – Lalo Mendoza, Los Angeles Verbum Dei (29 seasons) & Los Angeles Salesian, 2002-2005
211 – Ed Lombardi, Lassen Susanville, 1971-1986 & Elk Grove, 1987-2000 & Fresno Clovis West, 2000-03 & Sacramento Sheldon, 2004-09 (144 losses, 3 ties)
209 – Paul Briggs, Bakersfield, 1953-1985 (99 losses, 12 ties)
209 – Mike Sparks, Dos Palos, 1988-2010 (68 losses, 2 ties)
209 – Gil Warren, Chula Vista Castle Park, 1967-77, 1992-98 & San Diego Southwest, 2002-04 & Chula Vista Olympian, 2007-12 (86 losses, 5 ties) (current)
207 – Dwight “Goldie” Griffith, Bakersfield, 1908-1942, 1945 (50 losses, 27 ties)
207 – Jim Benkert, Westlake Village Westlake, 1989-2012 (78 losses, 5 ties) (current)
206 – Norm Costa, Salinas Palma, 1977-1999 (50 losses, 4 ties)
204 – Mike Wunderley, Cerritos Valley Christian, 1979-2002 (losses, ties not reported)
204 – Brent Newcomb, Lancaster Antelope Valley, 1978-2003 (108 losses, 3 ties)
204 – John Tyree, coached 38 seasons at 10 high schools, the latest in 2004-05 at Fontana A.B. Miller (171 losses, 4 ties)
204 – Mike Glines, Modesto Central Catholic, 1970-1978, 1995-2007 (31 losses, four ties) (one default win not included)
Note: Mike Fitch of Lakewood Mayfair also has been reported with more than 200 wins. Actual win-loss record not available.
More Notes: Dick Haines finished 195-84-1 at Vista (1970-1994), but his career record including West Virginia and Ohio was reported at 320-126-12 (43 years). Don Markham was 310-111-1 including five Oregon seasons of 1990-93 & 1998 (34 years). Paul Briggs was 240-106-12 including Colorado and Wyoming seasons (37 years). Jim Ingram (Washington Fremont) may be over 200 career wins but is not reported. Extra wins for Norm Costa when he was at Holy Cross of Santa Cruz (school is now closed) are not included in his total. It’s the same for Mike Marrujo when he was reportedly at Pius X of Downey (another closed school).
Up next? Dave Humphers from Nevada Union of Grass Valley began the 2012 season with 190 career victories since 1991 and his team is 3-2 entering this week’s games. Dave White from Edison (Huntington Beach) started the season with 189. His team improved to 5-1 on Thursday with a win against Newport Harbor of Newport Beach.
Retirements announced since the end of the 2011 season: Marijon Ancich at St. Paul, Frank Negri at Sacramento Natomas, Dan Carmazzi at Carmichael Jesuit, Jack Mahlstede at Santa Fe Springs Santa Fe and Bill Redell at Oaks Christian. Great job, gentlemen.
Please send any corrections or omissions to markjtennis@gmail.com.
11 Comments
I believe that retired Oak Park High coach Dick Billingsley’s career record is 225-115-8. He also coached at Culver City. His Oak Park record was 134-85-2 in 18 seasons
We would need years at all schools he was at and a confirmation from at least one of the schools for the total to be accepted. Thanks for the lead.
Your list is missing Kim Jorgensen from Ferndale. He is in the 210-220 range in 22 years at Ferndale with 7NCS titles.
If his total is turned in, it would be researched and most likely accepted. School also would need to verify. Thanks.
Did you get my email with the breakdown of Dick Billingsley’s career wins and years coaching at three schools? Derry Eads
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No, not as of 5:30 on Tuesday Nov. 23. Send to markjtennis@gmail.com.
Mark how do qet wins in? Coach Jorgensen was NCS honor coach a few years back. I believe for the second time. In the article they talked about his win total then. Does that work?
the 2007 CalHi Sports small schools State Coach of the Year, and the 2005 NCS Honor Coach – has directed his teams to 207 wins and 12 NCS championship games in his 21 years as the Wildcats’ head football coach.
This came from an article written last spring. So as of now with another 8 wins he is at 215.
We will reach out to Ferndale to get correct totals for Coach Jorgensen. Also want to confirm that totals for Coach Billingsley have been accepted and will be added next time we do the list. Coaches often say they don’t care what their win-loss records are, but when they’re retired they seem to care and we owe to all of them to make these coaching records lists as accurate and as deep as possible.
What about Dewey Tompkins of Soquel High. I believe his record was 203 wins, 125 losses, and 7 ties.
You are looking at an old list. Tompkins is on the current list.