SRJC Head Football Coach Lenny Wagner Steps Down After 24 Years

SANTA ROSA, CA — Santa Rosa Junior College announced Thursday that Lenny Wagner, longtime head coach of the Bear Cubs football team, is stepping down from his role after a 24-year coaching career at SRJC, including 12 years as the assistant head coach and 12 years as the head coach.

Wagner will continue his career as a full-time faculty member in Kinesiology, where he will focus on guiding students in their academic and athletic pursuits, college officials said in a news release.

"This is the right time for me to shift my focus fully to teaching," Wagner said. "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."

College officials said Wagner’s tenure at SRJC has been marked by a commitment to student-athlete development both on and off the field. Under his leadership, the SRJC football program has grown and remains a source of pride for the college.

"We are proud to support Lenny in his decision to step down as head coach," said Matt Markovich, athletic director and dean of Kinesiology, Athletics & Dance. "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."

Effective immediately, current defensive coordinator Dante DePaola take on the role as head football coach. College officials said DePaola brings a wealth of experience and a strong vision for the future of Bear Cub football.

"Dante has been an integral part of our coaching staff, and we are confident that his leadership will continue to drive our program forward," Markovich said. "This transition reflects the strength and continuity of our football program."

The school said Wagner's legacy will endure through "the countless student-athletes he has mentored and the vibrant culture of Bear Cub football he has cultivated."

"The SRJC community looks forward to celebrating his contributions in the months to come and supporting DePaola in his new role as head coach."