Gauchos Name Veteran Stuetz as Football Coach

Dick Stuetz, who has been in the background of the Saddleback football program for the last 29 years, stepped to the forefront Monday when he was selected as the program’s head coach.

Stuetz has been an assistant working with defensive linemen for most of the 29 years he has been an assistant. Saddleback has won three national championships--1985, 1992 and 1996--while he has been on staff. He also was co-defensive coordinator last season when the Gauchos went 6-4.

“I’m excited,” Stuetz said. “It will be fun. Keeping it in the family is important because we have a lot of good things going here.”

This is the second head coaching job for Stuetz at Saddleback. He was in charge of the baseball program from 1975-81 and coached former major leaguer Tim Wallach.

“No one knows the system better than Dick,” Athletic Director Keith Calkins said.

Stuetz replaces Bill Cunerty, who had the job for three seasons but resigned because of health reasons.

The college didn’t have a full- or part-time position available for a football coach and also wanted to make as rapid a hire as possible in order to keep continuity in the program.