Jerry Grimshaw resigns as Modesto Christian football head coach, will join college program
After four seasons under the guidance of coach Jerry Grimshaw, the Modesto Christian High School football team will have a new leader next season.
Grimshaw has resigned as head football coach and will accept a job on staff at Simpson University, a private NAIA college in Redding, the school announced in a news release Wednesday afternoon.
Simpson University will field a team for the first time this upcoming season and Grimshaw is head coach Shawn Daniel’s first hire. He will start out recruiting players in the Central Valley, but his role could grow as a coaching staff at Simpson begins to form.
“Modesto Christian High School would like to thank Coach Grimshaw for his commitment to the school and to the football program,” Athletic Director Greg Pearce said in the release. “Coach Grimshaw has represented Modesto Christian High School with integrity and has worked tirelessly to serve our students and families.”
Grimshaw coached offensive line at Trinity Bible College from 1994-2001 and also spent time coaching at Calvary Temple in Modesto from 2001-2007 and Rite of Passage in Nevada from 2008-2010.
He was hired in January 2020 after a year and a half of uncertainty.
After Mike Parsons resigned at the end of the 2018-19 season that ended with a 10-2 record and a trip to the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals, Ryan Green took the job as coach, but stepped down after less than four months. Brett Butler served as the team’s coach in 2019. The team went 1-9 that season. Grimshaw was brought in to bring stability to the program.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Modesto Christian,” Grimshaw said. “I’m really proud of what we were able to accomplish in a short period of time turning the program around, and I believe the best days for Modesto Christian and football are still ahead.”
Coming off the COVID-19 pandemic, the Crusaders went 1-7 last year. This season was his most successful, leading the Crusaders to a 6-5 record that included a 4-0 start, a key win over Trans-Valley League opponent Livingston and the school’s first playoff appearance since 2018.
“Coach Grimshaw provided structure and leadership for the football program that resulted in MC’s return to the football playoffs,” Pearce said. “Most importantly, Coach Grimshaw’s commitment to mentoring young men has left a positive impact on the campus. We wish Coach Grimshaw and his family the very best in the next chapter of their lives.”
Modesto Christian will begin its search for a head coach immediately.
This story was originally published January 18, 2023 at 4:48 PM.
