To new San Marcos High football coach Anthony Linebaugh, a football program is not just about the varsity team. He sees the lower levels are equally important to the overall success of the program.
Linebaugh stressed that point during a welcoming reception Saturday, hosted by San Marcos athletic director Abe Jahadhmy. The event was attended by alumni, former Royals football coaches and principal Ed Behrens.
Linebaugh, 40, comes to San Marcos from Liberty Ranch High in Galt, where he was the school’s first varsity football coach. He took the team from a 1-9 record in its first varsity season in 2010 to a Sierra Valley Conference championship and a semifinal berth in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section division playoffs last fall.
Linebaugh started his coaching career as a volunteer assistant with the freshman team at Lincoln High in Stockton. He later became the head coach at the freshman and junior varsity levels there before becoming the first JV coach and then varsity coach at Liberty Ranch.
“I’m pleased and I feel blessed that I’ve had the chance to work with each level of football,” Linebaugh said. “I think it’s so important that a true program has three levels of football and all levels see themselves as part of the same team — one team, different levels, but truly the same team.”
