For nearly 40 years, Bruce Rollinson has led one of the nation’s best high school football programs as the head coach of Mater Dei High School in the Southern California city of Santa Ana. When the Monarchs’ season comes to an end in 2022, Mater Dei will be looking to replace the legendary coach.
Rollinson announced on Thursday that the 2022 season will be his last.
“I have recently decided that this will be my last year as head coach of Mater Dei football,” Rollinson said in a statement, released on the Mater Dei football program’s Twitter page. “After playing at Mater Dei more than 50 years ago, 47 years of coaching at Mater Dei and 34 years as the head coach, making this decision at this time with the entire starting line-up returning next year should make it easier for the next head coach and Mater Dei to continue with our winning tradition.”
Rock & Roll, Baby ❤️🤍
— Mater Dei Football (@MDFootball) November 11, 2022
The tributes to Rollinson were pouring in after the announcement was made. Those included, but were by no means limited to, his former players.
— Matt Leinart (@MattLeinartQB) November 11, 2022
As a proud Mater Dei Alum, I know Coach Rollinson has earned this. God Bless! Rock and Roll Baby!!! #HeismanHS https://t.co/eNnPxgo3S3
— Brian Johsz (@BrianJohsz) November 11, 2022
Coach Rollo has mentored and inspired so many. I saw his impact firsthand when my friend and Russellville native Shannon Sidney brought @MDFootball to my office for a Capitol tour—and I have gotten to know him well since then. Coach, wishing you all the best in your next chapter! https://t.co/tzp04847H7
— Rep. Steve Womack (@rep_stevewomack) November 11, 2022
Real legend, thank you for all of the life lessons and memories. 🐐 |/ https://t.co/qxCYYoUtup
— Chase (@ChaseMcGrath) November 11, 2022
After 34 years as head coach at Mater Dei, Rollo is hanging it up after this year. What an absolute legend, he's left an incredible legacy!
He shaped boys into men, brought the best out of all his players, and the best pregame speeches off all time.
ROCK & ROLL ROLLO!!! |/ https://t.co/Hp36zi3U4g
— Matt Barkley (@MattBarkley) November 11, 2022
I have a great and rewarding job. Mater Dei football and Bruce Rollinson are two very large reasons for that. https://t.co/3ar7URXXBR
— Steve Fryer (@SteveFryer) November 11, 2022
Thank you Coach Rollo, the best football coach @MDFootball ever had, and one of the best to ever do it. His impact on the game and lives of thousands of men was incredible. I’m a better man because of him and would still run through a brick wall if he asked. Go Monarchs |/ https://t.co/OtxWNG9E4y
— Tommy Mo🚫 (@2on1Tommy) November 11, 2022
Legend!! What a run Coach – appreciate you my friend! https://t.co/1vLfxkBlsx
— Coach Tony Sanchez (@Coach_TSanchez) November 11, 2022
Rollinson has been a big part of a football program with an unrivaled tradition. The Monarchs have produced three Heisman Trophy Winners. Two of them, (USC’s Matt Leinart, 2004 and Alabama’s Bryce Young, 2021) played under Rollinson. The other is John Huarte (Notre Dame, 1964). Mater Dei has won six high school national championships under Rollinson. It’s distinctly possible that he’ll finish his career with No. 7, as the Monarchs are undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the country on Maxpreps.
And as Rollinson made clear in his statement, the person Mater Dei tabs to replace him will inherit a fantastic team, with every starter returning. But while that coach will inherit a lot of talent, he will also have massive shoes to fill.
[Mater Dei Football on Twitter]
