California coach steps down less than a month before season
There's never really a good time for a coach to walk away from his high school football program. That being said, Hart (Calif.) Golden Valley coach Andy Campbell may have picked one of the worst times possible to step aside.
According to the Los Angeles Daily News and the Santa Clarita Valley Signal, Campbell decided to leave the Golden Valley program after two years at the helm to spend more time with his family in Minnesota. The coach led the Golden Valley program for two seasons, compiling a 3-17 overall record.
Golden Valley never won a league game under Campbell, but that's not a particularly damning mark, considering the fact that the school has yet to capture a Foothills League victory since rising to the varsity level in 2005.
Last October's 21-17 Golden Valley loss to West Ranch remains the closest any Grizzlies team has come to a league victory.
"While I know statistically I may be judged a failure by chasing that elusive first Foothill League victory, I will measure my success in the positive influences and relationships I have made with my kids, coaches, co-workers and Grizzly Football supporters from across the Santa Clarita Valley and beyond," Campbell said in a statement released to the Signal.
While three victories are no major coup, there appears to have been little sentiment in the Golden Valley community that Campbell needed to go. Rather, his sudden decision to return to the upper Midwest appears to have hit the program as a complete shock exactly one calendar month before the team kicks off its 2011 season against Simi Valley (Calif.) High.
It's unknown who will step forward to take over as the fourth head coach in Golden Valley's seven years at the varsity level, but whoever it is will need to get going soon to get the team rolling before the season's first kick off.
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