Fountain Valley High football coach Chris Anderson has resigned because of “issues” with his teaching contract at the school that led him to accept the athletic director position at Estancia, he confirmed Thursday, July 22.
Anderson said he resigned on Friday, July 16, about one month before the Barons’ season-opener against visiting Valencia on Aug. 19.
“There were issues with my teaching contract for the upcoming school year that caused me to seek employment elsewhere,” Anderson said in a text message. “(I’m) disappointed with how things played out and the timing of my resignation.
“Sad to leave the players but ultimately had to make a decision in the best interest of my family.”
Anderson, a well-regarded offensive line coach at Newport Harbor and Corona del Mar, was entering his third season as Fountain Valley’s coach.
The Barons finished 0-6 this past season, which was shortened and delayed because of the coronavirus, and went 3-7 in 2019.
Anderson was a physical education teacher at the school the past two years. He declined to elaborate on the issues he faced with his teaching contract, adding, “(I’m) very excited to get started at Estancia.”
He replaces Nate Goellrich at Estancia’s athletic director.
Fountain Valley’s football program has been seeking coaching stability for several years. None of the Barons’ past three coaches — Anderson, Jimmy Nolan or Ray Fenton — stayed at the school more than three seasons. Fenton has built a budding powerhouse at Los Alamitos while Nolan coaches at Costa Mesa.
The Barons’ last Sunset League victory came in 2018 against Newport Harbor under Nolan. They’ll face a tough road this fall with Los Alamitos, Corona del Mar and Edison potentially top-10 teams in the county and Newport Harbor and Huntington Beach considered improved.
Fountain Valley athletic director Roger Holmes said the school has posted the opening within the Huntington Beach Union High School District. He added that Anderson’s staff has “graciously stayed” to finish off the team’s summer camp this week.
Please send football news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy on Twitter