After three years at the helm, Dare Holdren has stepped down as head coach of the San Marcos High football team.
“In the end, I love coaching football, but there’s a lot of other things I want time to do,” he said. “Being a football coach involves so many things and so much time, and I guess I realized I wasn’t enjoying it as much as I should have been.”
Holdren is looking forward to taking the summers to travel more. He has a trip to Europe booked already and is also planning on visiting old friends around the country. As football coach, spring and summer commitments wouldn’t allow for that free time.
He’s certainly leaving the team on good terms.
“No one forced him out, and we wanted him to come back, but I think he’s giving up the program on an upswing,” said athletic driector Abe Jahadhmy over the phone Tuesday.
Holdren amassed a 5-24-1 record over the three seasons, and was named Channel League Coach of the Year in 2008 for leading the Royals to three wins after a winless campaign in 2007. Considering the JV squad, coached by Bobby Brown, won the city title this year, things would point to that upswing continuing.
Holdren initially made the decision after the season, but made the announcement at Sunday’s team banquet. He became very emotional, according to Jahadhmy, and received large ovation from his players.
“After the winless season there were no complaints from parents or players or anyone. Instead. more people came out of the woodwork to see how they could help. and that’s a testament to him,” said Jahadhmy.
Holdren, who was a star linebacker for San Marcos before graduating in 1992 and heading to Brown University, has taught at the school for 10 years and will continue in the social studies department as a teacher of AP History. Jahadhmy said there is “an open door” available for Holdren to return to coaching. He also said that the team is hoping to retain most of Holdren’s staff.
“I’ll always be a Royal, and I’ll help them in the selection process and in passing along anything I can to the new coach if needed,” he said.
Above photo: Holdren addresses his team after beating Dos Pueblos last season.
