Golden West’s Dixon Going on Leave of Absence

Dennis Dixon, who became the football coach at Golden West College last season, is taking a leave of absence for health reasons, Athletic Director Tom Hermstad said Tuesday.

Mike Shaughnessy, an assistant at Golden West the last 17 seasons, is the interim head coach.

Dixon, 49, who wants to keep the nature of his illness private, will remain a physical education teacher.

“I think everybody knows I have some health problems,” said Dixon, who coached the Rustlers to a 5-5 record last season. “Now, I just need to take the stress off and get as healthy as I can. Then I can come back.”

Shaughnessy was a standout wide receiver in 1970 and 1971 for Golden West, then played two seasons at California.

He was an assistant at El Modena High and Chaffey College before joining the Golden West staff for the 1979 season. Shaughnessy, 44, was the longtime wide receiver coach who was moved to offensive coordinator when Dixon took over.

Shaughnessy’s first move was to select Pug Pierce as defensive coordinator and assistant head coach.

Dixon was offensive line coach for 18 years at Golden West before taking over for Ray Shackleford, who stepped down at the end of the 1994 season.

Dixon was an All-American tight end at Fullerton College in 1966 and then played two seasons at Alabama for Bear Bryant. He was also a graduate assistant at Alabama and worked as an assistant coach at Minnesota before coming to Golden West.