Trudell Clocks Out at Cal

Kyle Trudell has stepped down at Cal after a five-year stint.

By Tim Peterson

(Whittier) – Kyle Trudell has stepped down as the head football coach at California after five years he confirmed Monday.
Trudell took over for Jim Arnold in 2014 and guided the Condors to third place in the Del Rio League and a playoff berth in his first year. Cal went 6-5 overall and fell to Downey 51-20 in the first round of the CIF Southeast Division playoffs.

California went 2-8 the next year and 20-31 overall during Trudell’s five-year stint including 4-6 in each of the last three years. Despite stepping down as HC Trudell hasn’t ruled out coaching in the future.

“I may still be coaching football at another school as an assistant, but being a head coach and trying to grow a program took its toll,” Trudell said. “Wife and three young kids vs. running a program. It was a no brainer for me.”

Cal will begin the search for a new head coach immediately.

50 Comments to "Trudell Clocks Out at Cal"

  1. sports man's Gravatar sports man
    December 14, 2018 - 3:42 am | Permalink

    So Cal; I respect your thoughts; but Whittier UHSD pays ‘teacher/coach’ the exact same salary as a “teacher/non coach’. Coaches do not get paid more money than other teachers on the salary schedule. Yes, of course there is a Head Coach stipend=and $5,000 sounds about right. Yes this district is , or was, very good in comparison to other districts salary schedules

  2. In the Know's Gravatar In the Know
    December 13, 2018 - 5:17 pm | Permalink

    Warren coach Lara is gone. Heard he is going to coach in the OC.

  3. Zamora's the One's Gravatar Zamora's the One
    December 13, 2018 - 5:02 pm | Permalink

    I wish Zamora and his family a very Merry Christmas, as he embarks upon his dream job with a clean slate. I also want to urge Louie, with all sincerity, to speak with Kyle Trudell and ask him how he’s dealing with the setback of knowing his best wasn’t good enough. That way, Zamora will be better prepared for his own lonely Christmas in 2023.

  4. Football FanA's Gravatar Football FanA
    December 13, 2018 - 4:53 pm | Permalink

    Is Cal offering a teaching position with the head coaching job?

  5. AirAttack's Gravatar AirAttack
    December 13, 2018 - 3:19 pm | Permalink

    Lol,
    you are obliviously not in education, that Whittier Union salary has nothing to do with benefits. That is the certificated staff members yearly salary, benefits are additional to that top pay of $113. Whittier Union accepts all years of service which means a teacher can start at top pay if they have been teaching long enough. A younger coach would be in the $80-$9 range if there are just starting out. Teachers with Masters degrees plus units will start at the end of the pay scale and work there way down each year of service. So yes, $113,00, plus stipend can get you close to probably $118,000 or so.

  6. In the Know's Gravatar In the Know
    December 13, 2018 - 1:33 pm | Permalink

    Experienced, well liked,waited patiently for his chance coaching freshmen,humble. Zamora is a lock. It’s his time.

  7. Zamora's the One's Gravatar Zamora's the One
    December 13, 2018 - 11:08 am | Permalink

    Sounds like Louie Zamora is the new HC. This means the other Del Rio teams can rest easy, knowing Cal will still be an easy out. Arnold stands clearly revealed as a man of intense personal prejudices, selecting Trudell on the basis of personal affinity, and now Zamora, based on the same non-football logic.

  8. Facts's Gravatar Facts
    December 13, 2018 - 10:18 am | Permalink

    Facts:
    Whittier: Teacher with 18 years is getting $103K. Most teachers and coaches, LIKE Dale, have 75 units. Also stipend is around $5K, and summer school pay is close to $10k. That is a much different league than Covina Valley. Then 10 years down the road, it bumps to $113. Covina Valley isn’t even close. Sorry Covina, Cal has been underachieving for years. It’s better, plain and simple.

  9. DRL Observer's Gravatar DRL Observer
    December 13, 2018 - 8:16 am | Permalink

    Of all the names that were mentioned for this coaching job (in house and out of house) a few of them have no chance!
    Mustain was offered the job , then accepted the job and then within 24 hours turned the job down (Trudell then was offered the job). He wont get an interview if he applies (doubt he applies, he seems happy as the DC at La Serna)
    Ziola interviewed for the job (same time Mustain and Trudell) not sure what happened but was not well received by the interview panel.
    Winchell doubt he applies, he was a part of something special at La Serna and from what people are saying Bell Gardens is headed in the right direction (Winchell is the coach Cal should hire if they stay in house, he’s helped build La Serna and on the right track at Bell Gardens and I think he started his coaching career at Santa Fe under Mahlstede those are some pretty good programs).
    Zamora will get the job because of the relationship with the AD at Cal. Good guy but didn’t do much as the freshmen head coach at Cal.
    Pete Gonzalz Jr. has no chance, shouldn’t waist his time.
    The Whittier DC (Rico) doubt he applies especially if Zamora is the favorite (they are good friends and go back to their El Rancho days)

    Just some thoughts from a guy that has been around the Del Rio League/Whitmont League for a long time. My kids went to Santa Fe and played under Mahlstede and had two grandsons play at La Serna (one under LaVigne and the other won a CIF championship under Beltran).

  10. Wow's Gravatar Wow
    December 13, 2018 - 1:43 am | Permalink

    @one change
    Agreed the man looks unhealthy! Might need to start taking a lap around that BG track

  11. W2s's Gravatar W2s
    December 12, 2018 - 9:13 pm | Permalink

    In my 16th year teaching at a local high school. Will Finish off the year at $125k. Very possible with a masters degree and the additional units.

  12. Insider's Gravatar Insider
    December 12, 2018 - 5:35 pm | Permalink

    ER will be bumped to at least D9 but could
    end up in D8 depending on how many teams get put in D1. Whittier will remain in D10. It will be interesting to see if Arceneaux will remain at Whittier, this past off season he was gone and ended up back at Whittier, I’m almost sure someone is trying to lure him away, if he’s back they will compete, if he’s gone they are going to struggle. ER will have to replace a good core of seniors however will return some key figures including tons of experience at QB, RB and OL. LS will finish #1 again. SF will continue to struggle, Cal has some decent talent waiting in the wings however the coaching decision will be key.

  13. Lol's Gravatar Lol
    December 12, 2018 - 5:27 pm | Permalink

    You don’t understand the way salaries work and are reported, $80k is his base Salary the rest is just medical and retirement benefits. He’s not going home with anymore than about $4500/month.

  14. SoCal's Gravatar SoCal
    December 12, 2018 - 4:23 pm | Permalink

    It is not a dream, look it up

  15. Del Rio Watcher's Gravatar Del Rio Watcher
    December 12, 2018 - 4:01 pm | Permalink

    The DRL should be interesting again next year. One tough situation is EL Rancho and Whittier. If they are still in the same division next year and only five teams in the DRL only one of them gets in. Whittier had a great season but got bounced with the loss to ER. With Cal and Santa Fe chomping at the bit to get relevant again it should be a barn burner. La Serna does not seem to be taking any backwards steps so they still look to be a lock. The hope for Whittier is that El Rancho is bumped up to D9 and they stay put. That way 3 teams might squeak in from the DRL next year.

  16. One Change's Gravatar One Change
    December 12, 2018 - 3:51 pm | Permalink

    Commenter Anonymous has Winchell as OC, but I’d put him at DC (donut coordinator). A team needs X’s and O’s, but there can never be enough twists, old-fashioned, bear claws and cinnamon rolls.

  17. Lol's Gravatar Lol
    December 12, 2018 - 3:35 pm | Permalink

    Lol if you ask the rest of the DRL that’s a great staff!

  18. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 12, 2018 - 3:24 pm | Permalink

    HC Zamora
    OC Winchell
    DC Rico

    All 3 veteren teachers on campus and proven track records coaching in the DRL.How could anyone argue the logic in moving in that direction.

  19. Area Parent's Gravatar Area Parent
    December 12, 2018 - 3:10 pm | Permalink

    I heard The OC from Schurr was a consideration

  20. Air Attack's Gravatar Air Attack
    December 12, 2018 - 3:10 pm | Permalink

    Covina – salary $47,000-$78,900, Covina HS enrollment 1600, have to compete with Northview
    Cal Hi – salary $60,000-$113,000, Cal Hi enrollment 2800, compete with LS & ER.
    No brainer Cal Hi and Whittier Union is the better job.
    Zamora should be the guy, hope Arnold doesn’t make another Trudell-type mistake.

  21. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 12, 2018 - 3:03 pm | Permalink

    @SoCal

    130,000 plus 5k stipend?? If you’ve been teaching for 28 or more years maybe… oh and if you have a B.A. plus 75 semester units including M.A. or M.A. plus 36 semester units. WUHSD pays well but that’s not a base salary for an HC/Teacher.

  22. Lol's Gravatar Lol
    December 12, 2018 - 2:52 pm | Permalink

    The real salary is about $80k plus medical benefits and such. You’re dreaming if you think a public school coaching spot pays a straight $113k.

  23. SoCal's Gravatar SoCal
    December 12, 2018 - 2:34 pm | Permalink

    This is why the Cal job is better than the Covina job. Whittier Union with pay their teacher/coach $113,000 plus a coaching stipend about $5,000. Also Ziola lives in the Whittier area. Cal has a bigger student body to get football players. Ziola doesn’t recruit so he must have players on campus to do damage, a big student body and your chances are greater to have more players. I think Dale looks into this job, it just makes too much sense.

  24. Lupe's Gravatar Lupe
    December 12, 2018 - 2:06 pm | Permalink

    Honest question here. Why would Cal. be a better or more attractive job than Covina?

  25. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 12, 2018 - 11:55 am | Permalink

    @Straight Talk

    The AD at La Serna was not threatened by Beltran – he had no reason to be. The AD was actually shocked at Beltran’s firing. Take it up with the other admins but it wasn’t the AD.

  26. Seems Reasonable's Gravatar Seems Reasonable
    December 12, 2018 - 11:00 am | Permalink

    Area Dad impresses me with his projection of Trudell going to Bosco. If I were Jason Negro, looking to give my team the edge it needs against Mater Dei, I’d naturally be intrigued by a guy who had a sub-500 record at Cal High.

  27. ?'s Gravatar ?
    December 12, 2018 - 1:28 am | Permalink

    There are plenty of unhappy San Dimas boosters. They feel with the talent the Saints get from surrounding areas and San Dimas proper they are under performing. Holman I’am sure feels the pressure. With Northview and Covina ramping up, San Dimas and it’s ground chuck offense is being left behind. I predict Holman will resign and coach elsewhere as a assistant but stay at San Dimas as a teacher unless he by some chance gets an HC job somewhere.

  28. sports man's Gravatar sports man
    December 11, 2018 - 11:24 pm | Permalink

    He did not get asked to leave men! Cal dont work like that! My belief anyway. And didn’t Zamora have his chance at DC at Cal a few years ago and gave up massive amounts of points? Lower level Coach? May not have a qualified one; need to go get coach with history of winning or at least turning problem program into better above average program. Cal’s principal is ex administrator at WHS; Beltran? I predict WUHSD would not allow after his occurance at La Serna (reason for firing); Assistants spend as much time as head coach? DC and OC usually Yes, but not necessarily other assistants; and Asst’s do not have the responsibility or self induced pressure; Last playoff victory versus Burbank 2009 season; and went 5-0 in league; lost to Charter Oak in final 4; great year; then in 2011 beat la serna for 2nd time in 3 years and placed second I think; lost in great game to Pasadena in high scoring game in first round. High quality football head coaches are almost the most important person in school; and yes some AD’s may not have enough guts to hire a proven man that scientifically has been successful at other programs. I really hope that won’t be a problem; get the best man possible; if he has great history; he may be a bit arrogant; but he is best for the kids; the players to play to potential.

  29. sports man's Gravatar sports man
    December 11, 2018 - 11:08 pm | Permalink

    DLR who is WHs d coordinator?

  30. s's Gravatar s
    December 11, 2018 - 11:08 pm | Permalink

    DLR = who was whittiers D coordinator?

  31. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 11, 2018 - 10:48 pm | Permalink

    Cal admin is only interested in 2 candidates and they are as thick as thieves. Will be announced sometime early next week.

  32. Dons's Gravatar Dons
    December 11, 2018 - 8:57 pm | Permalink

    Zamora has experience as a varsity DC. He’s a good coach and good motivator however not sure he can take cal to the next level. Medrano leaving ER for cal? Haha too funny. Weak DRL? I think the DRL was pretty dam strong this season.

  33. Football FanA's Gravatar Football FanA
    December 11, 2018 - 8:27 pm | Permalink

    I could see Ziola going if Cal has a teaching opening but if they don’t he is not leaving Covina!!!

  34. Area Dad's Gravatar Area Dad
    December 11, 2018 - 8:00 pm | Permalink

    He’s head to St John Bosco. He was seen on the sidelines during the playoffs. Shmoozing with coach Negro. He will be an assistant coach the next year.

  35. Straight Talk's Gravatar Straight Talk
    December 11, 2018 - 7:17 pm | Permalink

    Trudell stepped-down on his own, huh? There’s no such thing as a yearly sit-down with a coach to assess where the program is headed, which curiously would seem to take-place right about now? And there’s no chance Trudell was given the choice of walking or being fired, right? That’s just not possible.

    On top of that, because most coaches have their ears to the grapevine a lot closer than any of us mere mortals, it’s likely that the Condors waited for Ziola to get settled with Covina before making this move, with their preferred replacement already selected. Which means that Arnold, the guy who hired Trudell, has another coaching giant coming down the pike.

    Many athletic directors feel threatened by hugely successful coaches, particularly in the sport of football. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AT LA SERNA WITH BELTRAN. Arnold won’t let this happen to him, which is why the next coach will be more or less the same as Trudell. It’s the equivalent of the Soviet 5-year plan folks, with no end in sight.

  36. ER's Gravatar ER
    December 11, 2018 - 4:27 pm | Permalink

    Rico left WHS so he could coach at ER. That’s old news.

  37. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 11, 2018 - 2:51 pm | Permalink

    @? I heard Mark Holman from SD wants the CAL HI job. He could really make an impact on the already weak Del Rio league.

  38. Condor Extinct's Gravatar Condor Extinct
    December 11, 2018 - 2:24 pm | Permalink

    When was the last time the Condors won a playoff game? They got in a couple of times the last decade but got blasted badly in the first round. For a district that pays so well a honest search for a great coach that will bring some respect back to Cal High football would be nice. New stadium, big money,great area to draw from, whats not to like. Zamora may be fine, I don’t know his coaching skills but the jump from freshmen to varsity is huge. Only fair to make a wide open search.

  39. In the Know's Gravatar In the Know
    December 11, 2018 - 2:05 pm | Permalink

    Yeah right, left on his own accord. “I will be coaching at another school.” Any HC will tell you a good assistant spends as much or more time at the job than the HC.

  40. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 11, 2018 - 12:55 pm | Permalink

    well there goes an easy win off the schedule

  41. The Solution's Gravatar The Solution
    December 11, 2018 - 12:21 pm | Permalink

    Ziola needs to hire Trudell as an assistant, and when everyone sees how “well loved” he is, Dale can quietly slip away and take the Cal job. This way, Kyle doesn’t get the blame for losing, and Dale can walk to work.

  42. FBFan's Gravatar FBFan
    December 11, 2018 - 12:14 pm | Permalink

    Now this is fun. Speculating who is going to coach where gets more comments than the actual season! This will be interesting because it is a very attractive job for anyone who is teaching because of the handsome salary that the district offers.
    If Cal stays in house:
    1. Zamora- He’s been at the school and knows the kids. Is also good friends with the AD
    2. Winchell- A proven OC and another coach off the Margarito Beltran Tree
    3. Mustang- Has the track record of any of the in district coaches.
    4. Whittier DC (not sure of name)- Sounds like the guy weaseled himself into a position to get this job
    If they go outside the district, they have a plethora of people to choose from and also go after.
    1. Pete Gonzalez Jr.- If he becomes a teacher, it might be time for him to spread his wings and fly.
    2. Medrano- Doubtful but it would be a double whammy for Cal. Get a good coach while their main competition loses their coach.
    3. Ziola- Yes he has already been hired at Covina but rumor has it that Cal is his dream job. Any way he bailed out on Covina?
    4. Robles- He’s slowly working his way up the ranks.
    5. Olivia- I mean, his name is brought up for every job that comes up anyway.
    No way Beltran goes back to Whittier District.

    Will be very interesting. Kyle Trudell obviously underachieved during his time as the Cal HC.

  43. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 11, 2018 - 11:15 am | Permalink

    Zamora and Rico are both on staff and long time friends. Zamora gets the job. Don’t see how admin could mess this up.

  44. SGVTrib's Gravatar SGVTrib
    December 11, 2018 - 10:23 am | Permalink

    Kyle stepped down on his own. He is loved there. Just saying.

    Zamora, the Frosh coach is on campus front runner.

    Ziola is really kicking himself now… LOL…. Should have waited Dale.

    ? your names are hilarious. Non but Zamora are going to apply.

    It is a very good job…. But it will take a village not 1 or 2 coaches.

  45. Anonymous's Gravatar Anonymous
    December 10, 2018 - 11:49 pm | Permalink

    Lower level coach will get the Varsity job

  46. December 10, 2018 - 10:55 pm | Permalink

    Could wind up at Schurr?

  47. ?'s Gravatar ?
    December 10, 2018 - 9:23 pm | Permalink

    Margarito Beltran 1st Louie Zamora 2nd Greg Setlich 3rd Farrar Jr. 4th Zernikow 5th

  48. DRL's Gravatar DRL
    December 10, 2018 - 9:14 pm | Permalink

    August: Whittier DC transfers to Cal on his own accord

    October: Whittier destroys Cal up 36-0 at half.

    December: Cal coach resigns

    Fishy fishy fishy

  49. In the Know's Gravatar In the Know
    December 10, 2018 - 9:12 pm | Permalink

    Told you Del Rio coach getting axed. Just took a little longer. Almont coach and maybe Hacienda coach by new year.

  50. Lynn Swan's Gravatar Lynn Swan
    December 10, 2018 - 8:59 pm | Permalink

    I’d let Kyle know that with a 20-31 record, I’ve got his back.

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