Buena Park Brings Rau Back to League

Bob Rau, one of the most successful coaches in the Freeway League in the 1980s, is returning to the league as the football coach at Buena Park High School.

Rau, 50, led La Habra to four consecutive Freeway League titles from 1983 to 1986 and forfeited a fifth title in 1987 for using an ineligible player in two games. He spent 17 years in the Fullerton Union High School District before resigning to become head coach at Canyon.

Rau coached at Canyon for one season, then moved to Duarte High. Last fall, he led Duarte to a 12-1 record and into the Southern Section Division VI championship game.

“I haven’t kept in touch much with the league for the past four years, but I have some great memories at La Habra,” Rau said. “I’m sure I’ll have some mixed emotions when I walk onto the visiting side of their football stadium for the first time.”

Rau said the Buena Park position was attractive for three reasons: 1) Principal Tom Triggs, who was the principal at La Habra during Rau’s glory days; 2) New athletic director Dan Hirsch; 3) The current refurbishing of Buena Park’s coaches offices, locker room and football field.

“I know a limited amount about the athletes at Buena Park and from what recruiters tell me, it’s a great situation that I’m coming into,” Rau said. “The first order of business will be to put together a staff and get to know the players and coaches at the school.

“I want to get to know everybody and make everyone feel comfortable with me. I’m excited to be coming back to Orange County, but would like to say that I’ve had a great four years at Duarte High.”

Rau, who lives in Brea, will begin teaching physical education classes at Buena Park in the fourth quarter of the current school year in preparation for spring football.