New football coach hired

The Laguna Beach High football program is now under the direction of new varsity head coach Jonathan Todd.

Todd, 37, was hired in December and will replace Jimmy Nolan who has guided the program for the past three years.

A former football player at Laguna Beach High (Class of 1987), Todd was first hired as a coach at his alma mater in 1994. He worked as both an offensive and defensive coordinator and as head freshman football coach, from 1994 to 2001.

Todd has taught at the school since 1997. He teaches U.S. history and world geography and is the school’s Model United Nations advisor.

“This is something I’ve always wanted to be, a head coach, at Laguna Beach High School,” he said. “My experience playing football here was one of best times of my life. And I’m excited to have the opportunity to help the kids at Laguna Beach have a similar experience.”

In Nolan’s last year as head coach this past fall, Laguna won the initial Orange Coast League championship and reached the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. The title — and home playoff game — marked the first time in 19 years the program had accomplished both feats.

“Immediately, the goal with the kids is to get them stronger and lay the foundations for how the program will go,” Todd said. “In the long term, the goals will always be to win league and be competitive in CIF.

“It’s really good to be coaching in a program that I believe has so much potential. We have great kids, great facilities and a great community.”