High schools: Lodi AD Duenas takes football reins
TL;DR
George Duenas returns as head coach of Lodi High's football program after stepping down three years ago. He aims to balance his role as athletic director while ensuring the football team receives adequate attention.
Key points
- George Duenas returns as head coach of Lodi High football
- Previously stepped down to focus on athletic director role
- Compiled a 27-21 record with two playoff appearances
Mentioned in this story
Apr. 23—George Duenas has been focused on throwing the rock, but soon he will turn his attention to running the rock.
Duenas, the athletic director at Lodi High, has retaken the reins for the school's football program after he stepped down three years ago to concentrate on being the AD and a father.
Focus has been important for Duenas.
"I was the AD my one year toward the end (of my coaching tenure), so we have already established that we will add another person," Duenas said. "What I don't want is any sports feeling less attention, so we set it up to where I'm going to have some help. We're going to set that up to help, especially the nights with football where I can focus on the game and my guy can focus on the game-day stuff."
Duenas, a 2006 Lodi High graduate, came home in 2018 from North Dakota, where he was AD and football coach for Center-Stanton High, to take over the football program. Over the next five seasons, Duenas compiled a 27-21 record, which included two straight playoff appearances.
With his daughter Gracelynne shooting up the rankings in track, George stepped back to be able to spend time spending time with her and focusing on being an AD.
The football program was in the hands of Joe Rohles for the past three years, where he compiled a 9-22 record, with one playoff appearance. Rohles stepped down from the program in the fall season.
Duenas hasn't stayed away from coaching in the meantime — Duenas was the first head coach for the school's flag football program for two years, getting it off to a successful start before handing the keys to Trent Meier, and this year he is the track team's throwing coach.
In addition to Gracelynne, who is has the best discus mark in the Sac-Joaquin Section this season (151 feet, 4 inches, which is also second-best in the state) and the fifth-best in the shot put (38-10), George has a handful of other throwers under his care. Evan Saragoza has the second-best discus mark in the section (162-10), Victor Manuel Hernandez has the ninth-best discus mark in the section (150-3) and Julian Avila has the eighth-best shot put mark in the section (51-1).
The first football action coming up will be spring practices in May.
"My first stint I came in at summer, so with me being on campus already, we'll already be ahead of the game with spring ball starting in May," Duenas said. "I still do track, so I know a lot of the kids. Me being here, we're already ahead of the game, so it will be installing my philosophy and going."
Duenas is still the athletic director, but had no hand in the football decision. Once he threw his hat in the ring, he became just another applicant in the pool, with the interview panel set up by the district.
Lodi will have some tough opponents for his first season back. In addition to the Tri-City Athletic League slate, which can be a dream killer, Lodi has rival Tokay for the opener, along with Laguna Creek and Liberty Ranch, which is coming off an appearance in the D-V championship game.
Q&A
Why did George Duenas step down as Lodi High's football coach?
George Duenas stepped down to focus on his role as athletic director and to spend more time with his family.
What is George Duenas' coaching record at Lodi High?
During his previous tenure, Duenas compiled a 27-21 record, including two consecutive playoff appearances.
How will Duenas manage his dual role as athletic director and football coach?
Duenas plans to add support staff to help manage game-day responsibilities, allowing him to focus on coaching.
