Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson plans to return for 35th football season in 2023: report

Ahead of Mater Dei's biggest game of the season against St. John Bosco, the school president says he's 'thrilled' with the coach's news

As the Mater Dei football team prepares to play its biggest game of the season Friday against St. John Bosco, the team got some good news for the following season.

Bruce Rollinson, the winningest active coach in California, told the Orange County Register that he's "pretty confident in telling you that I will be back for the 2023 season."

Mater Dei president Michael Brennan told the Register he was “thrilled” that Rollinson, 73, would be returning for his 35th season.

Last season Mater Dei finished 12-0, winning the Division 1 Southern Section championship and the state Open Division championship.

Many who witnessed the state championship game — a 44-7 win over Serra-San Mateo at Saddleback College in December — thought it could be his last. 

Many administrators and longtime Mater Dei backers were teared up, apparently believing he might not survive the heat from an alleged hazing incident in the Mater Dei locker room and other reports of alleged misconduct against the football program. 

He was hoisted on shoulders and carried off the field, an apparent send-off.

But not only is Rollinson thriving during a 6-0 season in 2022, pushing his career record to 333-85-2 (according to CalHiSports), now he's pointing to 2023. 

“I feel good, barring any health setbacks," he told Dan Albano of the Register. "It’s not being selfish coming back, because I have so much young talent coming back but I like where I’m now, trying to develop these kids and mold them into young men."

Asked about the challenges of off-the-field allegations, Rollinson told Albano: “I don’t worry about that,” he said. “Today is to talk about St. John Bosco and the big game. I have an opportunity to do what I’ve always done, and those who know me, know what I have done.” 

(Bruce Rollinson photo by Heston Quan)