Connor McBride is the new varsity football coach at Woodbridge. (Photo courtesy Woodbridge Athletics).
Former Woodbridge High School standout running back Connor McBride is returning to his alma mater as head varsity football coach, school officials said Monday.
McBride has been an assistant coach with the University High school football team the past two years as varsity running backs coach while helping out with linebackers. He also spent the past year as offensive coordinator for the junior varsity team.
He taught history at University last year and currently teaches history and physical education at Solis Park Middle School, the newest Irvine Unified School District middle school.
McBride, 26, replaces Aaron Craver, who was dismissed against leading the Woodbridge football program the past five seasons.
“It’s a surreal feeling, this has been something that ever since I was a high schooler and found out that I wanted to be a teacher and a coach coming back to Woodbridge, being the head coach has been my dream job, to see that the job opportunity was open a month or so ago and even having the opportunity to go for a job was something that was amazing to me and such a cool experience and to be able to have that job is a very surreal feeling to me,” McBride told OC Sports Zone Monday night.
“Obviously, I’m very excited, I’m still allowing it to soak in and trying to figure it out fully that I actually got the job.”
At Woodbridge, McBride established career school records in rushing (4,966 yards) and touchdowns (43) and twice was named All-city offensive MVP before graduating in 2017.
An Irvine native and second-generation Woodbridge High alum, McBride played at Woodbridge under former head coach Rick Gibson. McBride set school records in both rushing yards (4,966) and rushing touchdowns (43), was twice named Irvine All-city offensive MVP. He also earned first team all-league honors three times.
McBride helped lead the Warriors to four straight CIF playoff appearances.
“I played four years at Woodbridge and we went to the CIF playoffs all four years and went to the second round three of the years,” he said.
After that McBride went on to a successful collegiate playing career at Saddleback College and San Diego State University, where he played both fullback and tight end and was named to the Mountain West Conference All-Academic team at SDSU.
“I am beyond thankful and excited to take on the role of head football coach at Woodbridge High School,” McBride said in a statement released by the school.
“Being a Woodbridge graduate myself, I am truly honored to return to the community and lead a promising group of student athletes. I look forward to using my extensive football knowledge, 16 years of playing experience, as well as my true passion for coaching the game to help the program succeed both on and off the field. The opportunity to lead and inspire this team is truly a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started.”
Woodbridge officials showed support for their new coach.
“We are excited to welcome Coach McBride back to Woodbridge,” said Principal Linzi Gorzycki in a statement. “Connor’s deep understanding of our WHS community, his unwavering commitment to academic excellence, and fostering a positive and inclusive environment within a balanced extracurricular program, makes him the ideal leader for our football program.
“I am confident that he will inspire our student-athletes to reach their full potential both on and off the field, developing them into well-rounded individuals with strong character values that align with our ‘Way of the Warrior.’”
McBride said he plans to meet with Woodbridge players and their parents Wednesday to outline goals.
“Really my biggest thing is to create a culture as soon as possible,” he said. “I want to create the sense of excitement and optimism for the Woodbridge football program.”
McBride’s mother and father and aunts and uncles also attended Woodbridge along with his sister.
McBride will also be teamed up with his sister, Kylie, who is the coach of the cheerleading squad at Woodbridge.
“To be able to work hand in hand with her is a dream come true for me,” McBride said. “She’s done some amazing things with the program, it’s going to be a great experience to work next to her.”
McBride said he will also be reaching out to perspective coaches who may be interested in joining his staff as assistants.
—-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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