McWilliams leaving Gustine football to coach Enterprise of Redding

Russell McWilliams has stepped down as the football coach at Gustine High School to explore a new adventure in the north state.

McWilliams said he’s accepted the head coaching position at Enterprise High in Redding, a program just three years removed from a CIF NorCal Regional Bowl victory and state final appearance. McWilliams said he gave Enterprise a verbal commitment over the weekend and will be driving back to Redding soon to sign a contract.

Enterprise athletic administrator Rebecca Berg confirmed the hiring in a story on www.redding.com.

“It’s time for a change,” said McWilliams, a Gustine alumnus who helped the program reach its only Sac-Joaquin Section final in 2002. “I know we’re going drastic here, but it will be an adventure.”

McWilliams informed Gustine Unified School District superintendent Bill Morones of his decision Monday and addressed the players Tuesday after school.

“From a superintendent standpoint, this being a one high school town, I think Russell has done a very good job of building an excellent football program,” Morones said. “He’s a very good teacher, but as a football coach with his offseason program, the schemes he’s put in for the players and the way our kids execute and behave themselves on and off the field, it will be a big loss for our football program and our community.”

The 31-year-old history teacher said the move is motivated by family and creating better opportunities for his wife and four children.

“The kids will be angry,” McWilliams said before Tuesday’s meeting with the players. “But in time, I think they’ll appreciate all we’ve done and what they’ve learned.”

In five seasons as coach, McWilliams transformed the Redskins from a bottom dweller in the Southern League to a title contender last season.

Gustine improved each season under McWilliams, who changed the culture in the program by challenging the players’ commitment. He instituted an offseason weightlifting program, placed greater emphasis on the spring and summer programs and developed a defense-first reputation.

Gustine has allowed 239 points in its last 20 regular-season games, fewer than 12 points per game.

“I’m proud of everything we’ve done here – the weightlifting program, the summer program, the spring program and the passing leagues,” McWilliams said. “The schemes that me and my assistants mashed together … we started from scratch a few years ago and built this.

“The kids finally bought into the idea of ‘the tribe,’ and these young coaches know what they’re talking about. There wasn’t much when we took over the year before.”

Gustine was 13-28 in McWilliams’ first four seasons but turned the corner last fall. The Redskins won their first nine games, setting the stage for a winner-take-all rivalry game with Orestimba, also 9-0. Gustine fell short in an epic seesaw affair witnessed by more than 6,000 fans. Orestimba celebrated the Battle for the Chief with a 21-13 victory.

The Redskins advanced to the section playoffs for the second consecutive season, defeating Rio Vista 70-54 in a shootout. Gustine’s storybook season was stopped in the second round by Bradshaw Christian of Sacramento, the eventual Division VI champion. Gustine finished 10-2.

“The last three years have been arguably the best three-year run (in the rivalry) in the time I’ve been here,” Orestimba coach Aaron Souza said. “Each game has been decided by a touchdown or less. I’ve gained a lot of respect for him.

“I’m not surprised. I know he wanted to try something new, and he found a place that was a good fit for him and his family.”

At Enterprise, McWilliams will succeed Darren Trueblood, who stepped down as the program’s all-time winningest coach. Trueblood amassed a record of 105-47 in 13 seasons with four Northern Section titles. In 2013, the Hornets defeated Manteca in the CIF NorCal Division II Regional Bowl Game in Stockton. Enterprise was 5-6 last season.

McWilliams plans to retain many of the Hornets’ passing concepts while integrating the run plays he used with much success with Gustine quarterback Sebastian Figueroa and running back Brandon LaBry last season. LaBry rushed for 2,199 yards.

“I’m not leaving on bad terms here,” McWilliams said. “I think this team next year is the one to get the program over the hump and win that league title.

“We battled with the decision, back and forth. I’m so invested in these kids, year in and year out, that I could make an easy excuse not to leave. But at the time same time, this opportunity is pretty good.”

This story was originally published April 26, 2016 at 2:25 PM with the headline "McWilliams leaving Gustine football to coach Enterprise of Redding."