Saddleback coaching legend passes

Saddleback athletics is saddened to announce that former football coach Don "Butch" Butcher has passed away at the age of 89.  Butcher coached at Saddleback for 43 years before retiring previous to the 2019 season. 

Butcher started coaching at Saddleback in 1976 and retired in May of 2019.  He was a linebacker coach for 35 years and spent eight years as the Director of Football Operations, also handling much of the recruitment responsibilities.

As a linebacker coach, Butcher developed four different conference Defensive Player-of-the-Year recipients in Jeff Pease ('92), Scott von der Ahe ('93), Joe Cesta ('96), and Jimmy Ellingson ('03). He coached hundreds of all-conference performers, including 13 All-Americans.

"Coach Butcher's love for Saddleback football was extraordinary and his passion for the program was infectious," Saddleback Head Coach Kerry Crabb said.  "He mentored hundreds of young men through Saddleback football to become graduates, leaders and respectable young men.  He will be missed tremendously by all who had the opportunity to know him."

As a player, Butcher played football at Los Angeles City College and at one point signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Colts.  

Butcher received the ultimate recognition as a coach in 2007 when he was inducted into the California Community College Football Coaches Association (CCCFCA) Hall of Fame.