SRJC Head Coach Lenny Wagner retires after 24 years

Santa Rosa Junior College (SRJC) is bidding farewell to a significant chapter in its athletic history as Lenny Wagner, the esteemed head coach of the Bear Cubs football team, announces his retirement from coaching. After dedicating 24 years to the SRJC football program—12 years as the defensive coordinator and assistant head coach, followed by 12 years as the head coach—Wagner has decided to focus more on his teaching responsibilities.

Reflecting on his decision, Wagner stated, “This is the right time for me to shift my focus fully to teaching. Serving as the head coach of the Bear Cubs has been one of the greatest honors of my career. I am proud of our team and deeply grateful for the support of the SRJC community over the years. While I may be stepping away from the sidelines, I will remain one of the Bear Cubs’ biggest fans and a lifelong champion for our program.”

Wagner's tenure at SRJC has been marked by notable achievements and a steadfast commitment to the development of student-athletes. Under his leadership, the Bear Cubs football program has thrived, participating in 16 bowl games and producing over 140 all-conference players, three California state players of the year, and winning three conference titles. Wagner's influence has extended beyond the field, helping hundreds of student-athletes advance to four-year colleges and even professional leagues such as the NFL, CFL, and AFL.

Matt Markovich, SRJC's athletic director and dean of kinesiology, athletics, and dance, expressed gratitude for Wagner's contributions, saying, “We are proud to support Lenny in his decision to step down as head coach. We are happy that he is not going far and will still be a part of the SRJC family. We thank him for his tremendous leadership over the past 24 years. Our football program has achieved significant success under his guidance, and we are excited to build on the foundation he has established.”

Taking the helm as the new head coach is Dante DePaola, who has served as the defensive coordinator under Wagner for the past decade. DePaola, a former standout at El Molino High School and the University of California, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh vision for the Bear Cubs' future. His playing career included stints with the Baltimore Ravens and the Barcelona Dragons in NFL Europe, where he earned all-league honors as a defensive back.

Wagner expressed confidence in DePaola's leadership, stating, “A long time ago when Dante came on board, the whole plan was that someday he’d become head coach. He’s been here 10 years now and I just think it’s time to have some new energy in there now, take what I’ve done and take it even further.”

As Wagner steps away from coaching, his legacy at SRJC will continue to inspire future generations of athletes and coaches. His impact on the Bear Cubs football program and the broader SRJC community is immeasurable, and his presence will be felt for years to come. The SRJC community eagerly anticipates the next chapter under DePaola's leadership, confident that the program will continue to thrive and uphold the values instilled by Wagner.