Long-time successful Foothill football coach Doug Case plans to retire after season

Foothill football coach Doug Case leads the Knights during a game in 2023. (Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone).

Long-time highly successful Foothill High School football coach Doug Case said Thursday he is retiring as coach at the school at the end of the current season.

Case, who has also been athletic director at Foothill, said he plans to spend more time with his family.

“Announcing my retirement from teacher and head coach from Foothill High School at the end of this semester,” Case said in a statement to local media. “It’s been an incredible journey and looking forward to capping it off with another great season.”

Case’s Foothill team, 1-0 on the season, is preparing to take on Tustin Friday night in the annual crosstown game at Tustin.

Case has coached for 40 years, 25 of those as head coach at Foothill. He has 213 wins, second most among active OC coaches and 12 league titles, it is noted in his resume. Case has recorded 163 wins at Foothill, nine league titles and 19 CIF playoff appearances. His total of 32 years as a head coach is the most among active OC coaches, the file noted.

Case previously was head coach at Rancho Alamitos from 1993 to 1999.

Case explained his reasons for retirement in a letter, which he shared with the media. Case noted that the Foothill program is in “great shape” with 41 seniors on this year’s team and that every year the program has between 175 and 200 players.

“I want to thank Foothill High School and TUSD for the opportunity to lead this great program for the last
25 years,” Case said. “I would also like to thank my wife, kids, family members and all the football players, coaches, boosters and supporters who helped make this an incredibly successful, enjoyable and exciting experience.

“My career has been an incredible journey. Forty total years of varsity coaching and 32 years of those as the head coach. We have accomplished so much during my tenure. However, what I will miss most is the interaction with the kids and coaches. The time spent on the field with these young men was the greatest part of coaching. I have been very fortunate to be able to surround myself with great coaches who I can call my close friends and truly care about the kids.

“There are far too many memories to list here but I have been very blessed to have had such an awesome career. A wise person once said, ‘find a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ If that is true, I have not worked a day for 40 years. I am proud to have seen many of our student athletes in football go on to have incredible careers in college and at the professional level. Equally proud of the young men who have become fine adults and incredible contributors to our community and society. Wherever they are around the globe, they carry the pride of playing for the Knights. True ambassadors of Foothill Football.

“I have also served as a teacher for 35 years in the fields of Social Sciences, PE, Computers, ESL, Work Experience, and as an advisor of various groups.

“Sonja, my beautiful wife of 34 years, and I are excited to start our next adventure. Sonja and I have four
kids scattered around the world who are amid their own journeys. We plan on spending much more time with them and our grandchildren. Currently, we have two, Skyler and James, and one more on the way. We couldn’t be more excited about what the future holds for our family.

“Currently, the Foothill Football program is in great shape. Every year we suit up between 175-200
student athletes. This season we have 41 seniors and 195 players in the program. This season has the
most student athletes playing football in my entire career. Every year we have had an incredible booster
club that makes it all possible. A huge thanks to all the boosters who made the journey much more
manageable. I wish the very best to all current and future Knights. Once a Knight, always a Knight.”

No replacement has been made for Case.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com