Longtime Mater Dei High School coach Bruce Rollinson retiring after 34 years
David Perry
High school powerhouse Mater Dei’s longtime coach Bruce Rollinson announced Thursday that he will be retiring this year after 47 years of coaching and 34 years as head coach of the school. Here’s what you need to know:
- Rollinson, 73, has a record of 344-86-3 with the school.
- The program has won 27 straight games.
- He coached many college greats, including Heisman winners Matt Leinart and Bryce Young.
- Rollinson said in his statement that he will aid the school in naming its next head coach.
Rock & Roll, Baby ❤️🤍
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— Mater Dei Football (@MDFootball) November 11, 2022
Mater Dei’s elite prospects
As you were looking through the 247Sports Composite rankings over the years and reading about an elite-level prospect from Southern California, there’s a high likelihood that prospect went to Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei.
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Mater Dei is one of the most elite high school football programs in the nation. It was the high school that cultivated talents such as Young, Matt Barkley, Leinart, J.T. Daniels, Domani Jackson and so many others. – Wasserman
The program’s recent domination
That’s going to be a tough standard to live up to given Rollinson has won three state titles in the last five years. This year’s team is currently 10-0 and is playing in a playoff game Friday night against San Juan Capistrano Junipero Serra. – Wasserman
Retirement amid controversy
Rollinson’s retirement comes amid controversy. Last year, a former Mater Dei football player and his family filed a lawsuit that accused the school’s football program of having a culture that encourages hazing. The player alleges he suffered a serious brain injury.
Rollinson’s program has faced significant scrutiny since those allegations surfaced.
Mater Dei’s current roster has top-level prospects like four-star receiver Jeremiah McClure, four-star linebacker Leviticus Su’a and three-star linebacker Tre Edwards in the 2023 cycle. In the 2024 class, Mater Dei has one of the best quarterback prospects in the country in four-star quarterback Elijah Brown, two-top 100 offensive linemen in Brandon Baker and DeAndre Carter and top-100 defensive lineman Aydin Breland. – Wasserman
(Photo: Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)