Noji’s Return Proves Short-Lived; Football Coach Quits Woodbridge

Gene Noji, who established Woodbridge High School’s football program in 1980 and led the Warriors to a Southern Section championship in 1987, resigned Wednesday to spend more time with his family.

Noji, 43, became Woodbridge’s first coach and led a group of freshmen and sophomores to a 7-1-1 record in on the sophomore level in 1980. Noji then was 48-39-1 in eight varsity seasons, guiding Woodbridge to the Desert-Mountain Conference title with a 13-1 record in 1987.

Noji took a one-year leave in 1988 in order to spend more time with his family with assistant Rick Gibson replacing him. Noji returned this fall and Woodbridge was 3-7 in his final season.

“When I came back after the 1988 season, I didn’t feel rested,” Noji said. “The time off didn’t make any difference. I think Rick Gibson will assume the job again.”

Noji, who was the varsity coach at Long Beach Poly for four seasons before moving to Woodbridge, will continue to teach physical education and head a work experience program at Woodbridge.

“I’m looking into a community college assistant job,” Noji said. “But I’m not leaving the cupboard bare. We have an excellent group of freshmen and sophomores coming up.”