Sean Curtis welcomes challenge after becoming new football coach at Capo Valley

Rick Curtis with his son Sean Curtis when the two coached at Northwood (Photo Curtis family, For OC Sports Zone)

Former Northwood High football standout and assistant coach Sean Curtis was selected this week as the new head football coach at Capistrano Valley High School.

Curtis, a 2006 graduate of Northwood, is the son of Rick Curtis, current football coach at Capo Valley Christian, former head coach at Northwood and University and an assistant at Irvine.

Sean Curtis has nine years of coaching experience in Orange County. He began his career as the offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach at Northwood working with his father.

The new Capo Valley coach then went on to Santa Margarita where he was head of football operations and wide receivers coach. He helped the Eagles break 19 school records.

Curtis, 31, has been at JSerra the last three years where he was the head coach of the freshman team.

In a release from Capo Valley, Sean Curtis credits his father for his coaching success, noting he has been around football for much of his life.

“I could not be more thrilled to accept the position of head football coach at Capo Valley High School,” Curtis said. “I look forward to continuing and adding to the traditions that have already been set by Coach (Ernie) Bucher and his staff and I want to thank both the principal John Misustin and Athletic Director Chad Addison for their incredible persistence to get this done.

“This would also not have been possible without my amazing wife Carly and all that she has done to support my coaching career thus far. I can’t wait to get to work as a Capo Valley Cougar.”

The Capo Valley Principal Misustin, added:

“While it was a lengthy process, our goal was always to find the very best leader and coach for our student athletes. I believe Sean is a perfect fit and will do a great job building on the foundation and success of Coach Bucher, his staff and our student athletes have built over the past six years.”

Ernie Bucher led Capo Valley to a 9-4 overall record and 1-3 mark in the South Coast League last season before stepping down after six seasons.

Rick Curtis said the Curtis family was thrilled to hear that Sean Curtis had been named the Cougars’ new coach.

“Our whole family is very excited about Sean becoming the head coach at Capistrano Valley High School,” he told OC Sports Zone Friday.

“While Sean credits me with helping him in establishing his success and coaching philosophy, Sean is his own man and has worked with some great coaches along the way.  If we are not watching a game together, we are constantly texting back and forth on schemes and strategies used by high schools, colleges, and the pros.

“I am biased, but I think he is one of the excellent young coaches within Orange County, as he is young, energetic, passionate, and a great communicator.  I see him in the mold of a Sean McVay, and we both admire what the young Rams head coach has done in turning around the Rams organization.

“I look forward to bouncing ideas back and forth with Sean on how to build his program, and you never know someday we may be coaching together again.”

Sean Curtis was a standout player for Northwood and was the top receiver in receptions in Orange County during the 2005 season, “one that saw the Timberwolves advance to the CIF finals,” Rick Curtis said.

“In addition to beginning his coaching career with me at Northwood and Santa Margarita, Sean has branched out and has been fortunate to work with Pat Harlow at JSerra, Chad Johnson of Mission Viejo, Troy Thomas of Servite, and Jeff Grady of Edison.

“This is an exciting time for the Curtis family, as Sean and his wife, Carly, are expecting their first child on April 22.”

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