After 42 seasons as an Oregon high school football head coach, Craig Ruecker has decided to hang up his whistle.
Ruecker has retired as Tigard’s coach, ending a decorated career in which he compiled a record of 308-155 at four schools. He is fourth on the state’s all-time wins list behind Dewey Sullivan (352-84-2), Thurman Bell (331-154-1) and Ken Potter (313-72).
Ruecker, 69, said that health issues were behind his decision, which he outlined in a letter to the Tigard community (below).
“I made the decision during the season,” Ruecker said. “I didn’t tell anyone because the attention would’ve been on me, and it needed to be on the kids.”
He informed athletic director Alan Boschma of his decision Monday and told the team’s coaches Monday night. He met with the players to tell them Tuesday morning before school.
“I love them and they know I love them, so it was very difficult,” Ruecker said. “I was able to give all our kids, freshman through seniors, a hug.”
In 10 seasons at Tigard, Ruecker went 92-30, leading the Tigers to double-digit wins in seven of the last eight seasons. He guided them to the 6A semifinals five times and the 2014 final, where they lost to Central Catholic. They finished 10-2 last season, falling to Jesuit 23-22 in the quarterfinals.
Ruecker also coached at Reynolds (1977-81), Glencoe (1982-2003) and Redmond (2004-08). He won big-school state championships at Glencoe in 1986 and 1994.
“If I had my choice, I would coach another 42 years. That’s what my heart says,” Ruecker said. “But the bottom line is, everything I’ve done, I’ve given all that I have to do it.”
Ruecker said that he knew in the middle of the season that “things were getting harder for me.”
“I still was able to give my best effort to this last team,” he said. “When I told the AD that I was going to retire, I told him that I was afraid that I couldn’t give it my best effort. I don’t want to be known as one of those people they say, ‘He did a really good job, but he probably should’ve hung it up three years ago.’”
He said he is open to staying connected to the program.
“It’s not like I’m dead,” Ruecker said. “We like living in Tigard and we’re going to be here. But it depends on who the school district hires as a coach. I’m going to be rooting for the kids. The future is bright for our program. I feel good about that. There’s going to be a whole bunch of really good football players returning.”
Ruecker’s letter to the Tigard community regarding his retirement:
Dear Tigard Community and the Tigard Football Family:
Beverly and I would like to say a huge "thank you" to you for so warmly accepting us and supporting us for our 10 years at Tigard High School.
While the many successes on the field have been great, the greatest feeling for us has been one of a community united; in support of our team and all that surrounds it.
Friday nights at Tigard High in the fall are magical! With 4,000 to 7,000 fans supporting our team, our band, our dance team, and our cheer squad, it is a great example of what a wonderful community looks like. Many times over the past several years, opposing coaches would comment to me about what a fine team we had and how impressed they were with our community support. We have been truly blessed.
Not only have the fans of Tigard football come out to support us, our local businesses have been a welcomed partner in supporting all that we do to run the program. There have been 10 to 15 businesses that donate directly to needs we have and then there were 52 local businesses in our media guide all supporting Tigard football. Thank you so much.
While in my mind I would like to continue to coach forever, one must be realistic. I have always expected more of myself than our coaches or players. Four years ago I had lung cancer (even though I never smoked a day in my life) and spent 27 days at St. Vincent having the upper lobe of my right lung removed and recovering. While I am still cancer free, living without two lungs has had its wear and tear. I also have been a Type 1 diabetic for 50 years and my eyesight is starting to go. While I am still OK to do routine things, it is hard to see close up like typing, reading or watching film, all necessary parts of my job.
Some might be saying: Why share all of this? It is simply to be honest and share the reason for my retirement. I have always been able to give my best; our wonderful players, parents and community that I care so much about deserve one's best effort. I am concerned that I may not be able to give what is the necessary effort that you all deserve.
It must be understood that one does not coach football by one's self. I have been blessed to work with a great staff of assistant coaches who care about the whole child as we support our students in the classroom and in their activities outside the classroom.
One thing we in Tigard football have been most proud of is our Tradition of Excellence; the idea of the consistency of having great teams. Our players, coaches and you our community, have come to expect that. I believe Tigard football is set in motion for a number of years to come as we have developed a program. Next year's team returns a great number of skilled athletes from this year who will be joined by a junior varsity team that went 7-2. The Frosh team had a winning record and the eighth-grade team lost only once.
Tigard is a very special community and it has been my privilege to serve as your head football coach. I wish everyone great success in the future.
Thank You, Tigard!
