Arroyo Grande football coach Tom Goossen announces retirement

One of the most successful football coaches on the Central Coast is retiring. On Friday, Arroyo Grande’s Tom Goossen announced he is stepping down as head coach, ending a long and successful tenure with the program that dates back 30 years.

Arriving in 1986, Goossen served 20 years as defensive coordinator under the legendary Jon Huss. During that time, he helped coach the Eagles to four CIF championships in 1987, 1994, 1997 and 1998.

Following the retirement of Huss after the 2006 season, Goossen was promoted to head coach and continued the Arroyo Grande dynasty.

While his first two teams missed the playoffs in 2007 and 2008, he led the team to the postseason every year since. His teams were particularly dominate over the past six years. Beginning in 2011, the Eagles have won the league championship every year, except for a second-place finish in 2014.

In 2011, the Eagles captured the CIF Western Division championship with a 42-14 victory over Culver City. That team also included four players who all later played at the Football Bowl Subdivision level. They were among the countless players Goossen helped prepare to continue their career at the college level.

In 10 years as head coach, Goossen compiled an overall record of 85-34 and a league record of 32-16.

Goossen, who also teaches at Arroyo Grande, will retire from the classroom at the end of the school year. A search for his replacement is now underway.