Welch Gets the Recall From Canyon, He Says

Harry Welch, one of the region’s most successful and controversial coaches, said he has been rehired to head the football program at Canyon High.

Welch said he was informed of the school’s decision Wednesday night by Principal Vicki Engbrecht.

The William S. Hart Union High School District Board of Education must approve the hiring. Engbrecht was unavailable for comment Wednesday night.

Welch was 120-31-2 from 1982-93 and was the first to lead a team from the region to three consecutive Southern Section titles, which he did from 1983-85.

“I have a great deal of my life invested in this program,” said Welch, 55, who has continued to teach at the school. “Canyon High School is a big part of my life.”

Welch, who was selected over Ted Amorosi, Canyon’s defensive coordinator, and Karl Zierhut, offensive coordinator at Valencia, will succeed Jack Bowman, who resigned after posting an 8-14 record in two seasons.

Welch built Canyon into the region’s premier program, but his tenure was not always smooth.

He was suspended by the Southern Section in 1991 after his team held an illegal practice. Welch won a court decision barring the suspension and settled a lawsuit out of court. He missed no games.

Welch has already begun assembling a staff, which will include former assistants Dave Ends and Gary Lindberg. Scott Blade, an all-section linebacker for Welch in 1990, and Richard Dice, former Alemany and Arizona receiver, will also be on the staff, Welch said.

Canyon failed to qualify for the playoffs last season.