Klostreich hangs up football whistle

For the better part of the last 45 years, Don Klostreich has been a fixture on the sideline coaching prep football. Now he's ready to step aside.

Klostreich, who in addition to coaching football at San Pasqual, served as the school's athletic director, wrestling coach and track and field coach. He'll retain all titles other than football coach.

"I was tired of coaching three sports - football, wrestling and track. I just ran out of gas after awhile," Klostreich said. "Then moving down to 1A and going to eight-man football kind of turned me off.

"Right now, I just don't have any desire to coach football, and I think it's time I slowed down a little bit."

Since 1962, Klostreich has coached football every year, with the exception of a three-year hiatus. He entered the local scene in 1989-90 as the head coach at Kofa. Klostreich was also at the helm of Yuma High prior to coming on board at San Pasqual to help build its athletic program.

While coaching football has been a big part of his life, he said he doesn't think he'll regret his decision, and is looking forward to having some time just to be a football fan.

"I have a little grandson who's going to play Pop Warner so I'll be able to watch him play, and it'll be fun going to all the other games, too," Klostreich said.

Klostreich's last year was perhaps one of his most challenging just because of sheer numbers. San Pasqual struggled to field enough players to compete each week. The Warriors played their final two games of the season against 2A West powerhouses Yuma Catholic and Antelope with 16 players.

Klostreich said he hasn't officially ruled out ever returning to the prep football coaching ranks but hinted that it's probably unlikely.

"I'm getting pretty old, so I take it one year at a time," he said. "I think there comes a time when you have to step aside and let somebody else do it."

The vacancy has not been filled as of yet. Klostreich said part of the problem is that there is no teaching job currently offered along with the coaching position.

"I think the administrators were hoping somebody on campus would step forward and become a football coach," he said, "but so far nobody has."

Derrik Miller can be reached at

dmiller@yumasun.com or 782-6520.