rick.curtis@creanlutheran.org

HEAD FOOTBALL COACH AND ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

Rick Curtis earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Cal State Fullerton and his teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. Rick holds a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University and was an adjunct professor and academic advisor in the School of Professional Studies for thirteen years.

Rick began his coaching career at Servite High School and his teaching career in the Irvine Unified School District. While at Irvine High School, Rick was the athletic director and the defensive coordinator, helping lead the Vaqueros to three consecutive CIF SS championships.

Rick opened Northwood High School as its athletic director and head football coach. During his time with the Timberwolves, Coach Curtis received the NFL’s Coach of the Week award and was also a recipient of the CIF Southern Section’s Pursuing Victory with Honor award. Coach Curtis and his staff were named to coach the South team in the Orange County All-Star game, and he led his team to a 22 – 8 victory in the annual classic. Rick led his Northwood teams to the CIF quarterfinals (3 times), the CIF Semi-finals, and to the CIF finals. After Rick’s tenure at Northwood High School, he became the head football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where his teams set 19 school records, returned to the CIF playoffs, and sent 15 scholarship players to the college ranks.

In 2016 Coach Curtis accepted the position of athletic director and head football coach of Capistrano Valley Christian. In 2018, the Eagles secured the first 11-man league championship in 18 years and Curtis was named the Academy League’s “Coach of the Year”. The Eagles returned to the playoffs in 2019, and Coach Curtis was again named “Coach of the Year”, this time for the San Joaquin League. The Eagles were 16 – 6, going 9 – 2 in 2018 and 7 – 4 in those last two seasons.

Coach Curtis is especially proud of the development of the Crean Lutheran football program as it has ascended from a Division 12 program to a Division 2 playoff team and it’s highest Orange County ranking (#7) in school’s history during last season’s 10 – 1 campaign. The Saints captured their second league championship in the school’s history and first in the CIF’s large school’s division. The program has advanced to the CIF playoffs the last four seasons, upsetting Aliso Niguel, Hart, and Long Beach Millikan in the previous three year’s before dropping a heartbreaking first round CIF game to Leuzinger last year in Division 2.

Rick has helped secure scholarships for his players at major universities across the country. Coach Curtis’ players have played at Arizona, Stanford, Oklahoma, USC, UCLA, Washington State, Navy, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Lehigh, New Hampshire, and most recently, Southern Utah, Boise State, University of Arizona, UC Davis, University of Utah, Hawaii, Oregon, San Diego State, and St. Thomas University. Coach Curtis has had several players play in the NFL, including 2022 draftee, Grant Calcaterra, of the Philadelphia Eagles who captured his first Super Bowl ring in the Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.

Rick and his late wife, Mary, who passed in October 2021 after a 5-year battle with cancer, are the proud parents of seven children (John, Steven, Bryan, Sean, Blake, Leslie, and Ashleigh) and seven grandchildren (Jacob, Tyler, Grace, Lucas, Bailey, Judy May, & Cooper).

Rick was recently married to the former Erin Mouck, who has three daughters (Shannon, Lauren, and Allie Rose).  Rick and Erin who currently reside in San Juan Capistrano are devout Christians, attending The Shoreline Church in San Clemente.