Rio Mesa’s Reardon Quits After 26 Years as Football Coach

John Reardon, Ventura County’s winningest football coach, officially announced his retirement Friday as the Rio Mesa High football coach.

“Football has been very good to me and it’s been a great career, but it’s time to move on,” he said. “When it’s the right time, no one has to tell you.”

Reardon, 59, will retain his position as chairman of the school’s physical education department until his retirement from teaching in June of 1995.

“There is no way to measure the importance of John Reardon to Rio Mesa High School or the impact that his absence will have,” said Athletic Director Brian FitzGerald, who is among the more than 1,000 players Reardon has coached. “People need to know that he was much more than just our football coach.”

Reardon, who became the varsity coach in 1967, had a record of 154-119-4 in 26 seasons. He guided Rio Mesa to a section championship in 1971 with a 28-20 victory over Paso Robles. Rio Mesa lost to Atascadero, 20-14, in a 1983 section title game. The Spartans also were section semifinalists in 1973, ‘77, ’79 and ’82.

Under Reardon, Rio Mesa won 10 league titles and advanced to the section playoffs 13 times.

Before last season, Reardon intimated he might retire from coaching. The Spartans finished 6-4, 3-4 in Channel League play, failing to qualify for the Division III playoffs for the second consecutive season.

Reardon’s successor has not been chosen. The position is open only to employees within the Oxnard Union High School District, FitzGerald said.

Rio Mesa administrators indicated that Reardon will be involved in the selection process. He said he will make a recommendation, but declined to name the person.

“That wouldn’t be fair of me,” Reardon said. “I’ll make my suggestion, but (the decision) is strictly up to the administration.”

Spartan assistant George Contreras is a leading candidate for the position. Contreras, who previously coached at Westlake, has been on Reardon’s staff for five seasons.