Canyon’s Coach Welch Resigns, Citing Health

Football Coach Harry Welch resigned Monday after 12 triumphant but tempestuous seasons at Canyon High, citing concerns that his intense work ethic threatened his health.

Welch, 48, who posted a 120-31-2 record and led Canyon to three consecutive Southern Section championships in the 1980s, will remain at the school as an English teacher. Canyon Principal Mike Allmandinger said he hopes to name a replacement by the start of spring practice.

Welch had no serious health problems this season--the 27th of his coaching career. But Canyon posted a disappointing 6-4 record, failed to win a playoff game, and the season took a physical and mental toll on him, Welch said. After considering his career over the holiday break, he doubted he could continue his “all-consuming” approach to his job.

“I had thought about it for years, because I spend 12 months of every year planning and working on football,” he said. “It has been dominating my life.

“I’ve loved what I’ve done, but I know the way I coach that it’s all-consuming. No one’s asked me to put in 100-hour week after 100-hour week after 100-hour week. But that’s what I do.”

The Welch legacy at Canyon will be a mixed one. He transformed a moribund program into a perennial winner, but never strayed far from controversy. He forged a 46-game winning streak in the mid-1980s, won approximately 80% of his games, engendered fierce player loyalty, created impossibly high expectations among Canyon followers and made “Cowboy football” an institution in Canyon Country.

But he also engaged in a two-year battle with the Southern Section stemming from charges that Canyon conducted an off-season practice in violation of section rules. Welch faced a one-year suspension from coaching, but after numerous court appearances, he emerged victorious. He not only retained his job and avoided penalties for his program, he won a monetary judgment against the Southern Section for an undisclosed amount.

Still, his reputation was hard hit.

“You can’t say that he hasn’t had a lot of success,” Chaminade Coach Rich Lawson said. “But at what expense? There are different ways to skin a cat, and sometimes that catches up to you down the road.”

In 1989, Welch nearly tangled with the Southern Section after the Cowboys lost a controversial 28-27 decision to Santa Barbara in the playoff semifinals. After controversial officiating decisions gave Santa Barbara at least two “extra downs” that allowed the Dons to score the winning points, Welch broke a trophy case in the locker room.

In the week after the game, Canyon boosters raised approximately $7,000 for legal fees, in case Welch chose to file suit in order to reinstate Canyon in the playoffs. Welch did not pursue legal action.

“Many events I wished hadn’t happened,” Welch said Monday. “But I can’t change the past. Certainly, for anyone to whom I’ve caused unnecessary pain, I really regret. I’m sorry.”

The 1993 season was marked by two tragic events: the death of player Mike Pulliam and the paralysis of junior varsity Coach Chuck Wade. Both resulted from automobile accidents.

In addition, Welch contemplated a midseason resignation after a postgame scuffle with Tim McKeon, a parent of a player and a longtime booster. Welch filed a report with police but did not press charges. McKeon said he is saddened by Welch’s resignation.

“I’m real surprised,” said McKeon, treasurer of the Cowboy Touchdown Club. “His work ethic is absolutely second to none. He came to Canyon and took a program that had been floundering for years and immediately made it a winner.

“We had a disagreement this year--much to my regret--but I’m saddened and I wish him well.”

Some apparently have less fond feelings. Mike Herrington, coach of rival Hart High, declined to comment when asked for his reaction.

“Really, I don’t care,” Herrington said. “That’s Canyon’s situation.”

Welch said he was at peace with his decision, but has yet to face his players.

“That’s the hurt that I’ve refused to face,” he said. “I’ve refused to call a team meeting. I’ve refused to announce it. I’ve shed more tears this year than I ever have as a coach. I don’t know that I was up for shedding more.”

Mark Manskar, a 6-foot-7, 231-pound junior offensive lineman, had heard only rumors about Welch as of Monday afternoon.

“I wish he wouldn’t (resign). He’s a good coach. He did a lot for his players. We had a tough season, but everybody wanted him to stay,” Manskar said.

Welch made no recommendations for a successor, and he said he expects his coaching staff to split apart. Only one assistant, Larry Mohr, is interested in the top coaching job, Welch said.

Allmandinger, the Canyon principal, called Monday the end of an era.

“I respect the man for the kind of job he has done,” Allmandinger said. “I respect him for making the decision. I don’t think you’ll find a better coach. He ran an exemplary program.”

Brent Parkinson, a 1985 Canyon graduate who played in three Rose Bowl games as an offensive lineman at USC, said Welch “was probably the greatest coach I’ve ever had.”

“Canyon High was nothing before Harry took over,” said Parkinson, whose first varsity season in 1982 was Welch’s first as coach. “Everything that program is is because of Harry.”

Many coaching counterparts shared that view and hope Welch’s retirement is a short one.

“I hope he gets back into it,” said St. Francis Coach Bill Redell, who took a four-year sabbatical from coaching before returning last fall. “Coaching has a tendency to play on you. You just can’t please everybody.

“I’ve always been impressed with Harry. . . . If he (doesn’t return), we’ll be losing one of the best high school coaches in the country.”

Staff writer Steve Elling contributed to this story.