Red Guyer, Longtime Laguna Coach, Dies of Cancer at Age 80

Maurice T. (Red) Guyer, a former coach at Laguna Beach High School, has died of cancer at his Laguna Niguel home. He was 80.

Guyer coached track at Laguna Beach High in 1934-69. His teams won 15 league championships, compiling a record of 100-47-8. Early in his career, he also coached football, basketball and baseball at the school.

His football teams won eight Orange League titles and a Southern Section Lower Division title in 1946.

In 1976, Guyer was elected to the California Coach’s Hall of Fame by state sportswriters.

Before coaching, he was an alternate on the 1932 U.S. Olympic 400-meter relay team. He ran the third leg on the USC 440-yard relay team, which set a world record of 40.8 seconds in 1932 at the West Coast Relays in Fresno.

He graduated from community college in Santa Ana before attending USC.

Guyer, who died at his home Tuesday night, is survived by his wife, Louise.

An open memorial service will be held at 4 p.m. Oct. 7 at the Laguna Beach football stadium, which is named for Guyer. Funeral services will be private and were not announced.

Donations to a foundation being created in Guyer’s name can be made in care of Walt Lawson. For information, call Lawson at (714) 497-7760.