Long-time Tehachapi Coach Retires from THS Counselor Post
Long-time Tehachapi Coach Retires from THS Counselor Post
By: Tom Shea
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Posted by sportsreporter Tue Nov 30, 1999 00:00:00 PST
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1 response 0 comments After 37 years as an educator for Tehachapi Unified School District, Dennis Ruggles has decided to hang up his hat as a guidance counselor for the high school. While Ruggles will still coach for the Warriors this next upcoming season, his occupational tenure marks the end of a great career of which many students and fellow employees have been grateful for his services.
“Dennis has been so helpful, particularly with me, with his friendship and leadership,” said Warrior football head coach Steve Denman. “Everything he’s done for me personally you really can’t put a price tag on.”
After completing his masters degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Ruggles came to Tehachapi in 1969, with his first assignment a teaching position at Jacobsen Junior High in history and physical education. He transitioned into the high school in the early 70s, assisting the school with football under then-head coach Gary Ogilvie, and even serving as varsity head football coach for Tehachapi from 1975-1978, scoring a 22-12-3 record in four seasons. When Steve Denman took over the Warrior program in 1982, Ruggles was a pioneer member of the coaching staff and has helped the Warriors program to an impressive 209-88-4 record, the most wins among active coaches in the county.
Ruggles has also been an instrumental coaching figure for basketball, serving as a junior varsity coach in the 80s and 90s, and taking over the varsity girls basketball program in 2000 with long-time friend Bill Carll.
“I’ve worked with Dennis for a very long time,” said Carll. “He is someone that genuinely cares about kids and it’s been a pleasure to coach along side him these many years and have a long lasting friendship.”
Although Ruggles is officially retired, he has every intention of continuing to coach the football team this fall, along with helping the Lady Warriors basketball program defend their three-time SSL championship.
“As a player, I remember coach Ruggles always teaching us to carry ourselves in high standards and represent our community well,” said Chris Olofson, who graduated from Tehachapi High in the 1980s. “More than anything, he taught me how to be a Warrior.”
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