Ventura Saved Its Best for McCune’s Last

Three claps for Phil McCune, please. But don’t let him turn out the lights.

The wave of well-wishers who shook his hand and gave him hugs Saturday night can hardly imagine anyone other other than McCune as Ventura High football coach.

And following Ventura’s 35-14 victory over Arroyo Grande in the Southern Section Division IV final, McCune wouldn’t confirm what his players and co-workers say is a near certainty--that after two stints as head coach totaling 15 years, McCune will retire and focus on his athletic director duties.

His reluctance to discuss his plans merely underscores the integrity and honor those close to the program appreciate in him.

“I’m really happy for the kids and I don’t want this to be about me at all,” he said. “This night is about the kids.”

The kids appreciate it, Coach. McCune has the Cougars clap in unison to show appreciation for a job well done. Three claps is the highest honor, and one McCune deserves himself.

“This is his last year and we did it for him,” center Bill Griffin said.

A teammate blurted that McCune’s retirement wasn’t official.

“Right, but we all know this is it,” Griffin said. “We are happy for him.”

What would McCune do with his free time? During the game, he never stood still, pacing the sidelines while a packed key ring jangled from a belt loop. McCune stepped off as much yardage as record-setting tailback Tyler Ebell.

“It’s going to be a big change for him,” said Matt McCune, Phil’s son and a former Ventura player. “He’ll be active. Now he can go fishing in the fall with me.”

Matt stood by his father’s side after the game with tears in his eyes. Phil held his young granddaughters in his arms as Cougar supporters offered congratulations.

“He’s genuine person,” said Scott Hays, who coached with McCune for many years.

“He’s the rare coach who when he yells at you, you say thank you.”

McCune, 59, didn’t have to do much yelling this season, not with a tailback who set a national record with 4,495 yards rushing.

He did ti with gladness in his heart and simplicity in his game plan.

“So many high school coaches have a great player and don’t give him the ball enough because they want to appear sophisticated,” said Roman Fortin, the Ventura quarterback in the early 1980s and an NFL center of 11 seasons.

“Phil had Ebell and he gave him the ball. That makes him a great coach.”

Maybe the play-calling is obvious, but McCune had to do some coaching after Arroyo Grande tied the score, 14-14, with three seconds to play in the first half.

“I reminded the team the score was 14-14 at halftime when we played [Arroyo Grande] earlier in the season,” McCune said.

Ventura scored the only three touchdowns in the second half. McCune’s positive nature helped his players keep their poise.

“He always gives you the feeling everything will turn out all right,” Griffin said.

Said McCune: “I’ll sit down with my athletic director and make a decision,” he said.

There was no point reminding McCune that he is the Ventura athletic director.

Give him three claps.