Carmazzi Stepping Down As Jesuit Football Coach

coaching legend Dan Carmazzi has announced he is leaving the Carmichael school after more than three decades, school officials said Thursday.

Carmazzi will become co-athletic director, faculty member and assistant football coach at , his alma mater, starting this summer. He is the longest tenured current coach in the greater Sacramento region, The Sacramento Bee reported.

"This was one of the most difficult decisions I have had to make," Carmazzi told Carmichael Patch. "I've had a great time at Jesuit with great students and assistant coaches and that made it hard to leave."

"It came down to going back to my alma mater," he said, adding that he learned from teacher/coaches there including Dick Sperbeck, Ron Limeberger, Jack Witry, Dave Hoskins, Mel Fontes, John Zupan and Ralph Villanueva.

"I appreciate what CB gave to me and it's time to give back," Carmazzi said.

Jesuit school officials praised Carmazzi, who currently teaches social studies and physical education.

“Dan has dedicated most of his professional life to Jesuit, and we are grateful for his service to our Jesuit High School community and his efforts with our student-athletes,” Jesuit principal Brianna Latko said in a released statement.

A 1971 graduate of Christian Brothers, Carmazzi started his coaching career at his alma mater before coming to Jesuit as an assistant football coach in 1977.  He assumed the duties of head football coach in 1981 and has gone on to earn an overall record of 230-102-3, Jesuit officials said. 

He is joined by Max Miller of Cordova, and Johnson, Ed Lombardi of Elk Grove and Sheldon, Mike Alberghini of Grant and Frank Negri of Foothill and Natomas as the only regional coaches to win 200-plus games, The Bee reported.

Carmazzi was selected as the CIF State Model Coach of the Year in 2004 and has helped develop three NFL quarterbacks: Ken O’Brien (Class of 1978), his son Gio Carmazzi (’95) and J.T. O’Sullivan (’97).

During his tenure, the Marauders reached the City Championship five times and won two CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships and nine league titles, Jesuit officials said.

Carmazzi led Jesuit to its first playoff berth in 1988, a team quarterbacked by Greg Harcos, now the school's longtime varsity coach, The Bee reported.

"I take away great memories from Jesuit- Holy Bowl victories, section championships... a feeling of appreciation and gratitude," he told Carmichael Patch. "Jesuit educated my sons (Gio, Matt and Dominic) and I coached them. I've been fortunate."

Chris Fahey, Jesuit's athletic director and a 1992 graduate, offered Carmazzi thanks for his time at the school.

“We wish Dan well as he returns to his alma mater to finish his career,”  Fahey said in a released statement. “It was our expectation that Dan would return as our head football coach next year, so his decision came as a surprise. But we understand Coach Carmazzi’s reasons for seeking new challenges and we respect the decision he has made.”

During his tenure at Jesuit, Carmazzi also served as a junior varsity coach, club moderator, director of athletics from 1986 to 1995 and as an assistant director of athletics the past eight years. Carmazzi will remain a member of the faculty at Jesuit through the rest of this school year, officials said.

Jesuit has not formally announced Carmazzi's replacement, The Bee reported. Carmazzi told Carmichael Patch he sees a bright future ahead for the athletic programs of two of the Sacramento area's top Catholic high schools.

"Jesuit is in great shape... under Chris Fahey's leadership and that of (president) with great facilities," Carmazzi said. "The returning (football) juniors are strong so whoever comes in to coach has a great group of guys."

"I'm just excited for the opportunity at CB," he said. "I look forward to working with CB kids and coaches."

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