Spinner Will Replace Shoup as Santa Paula Football Coach

Former St. Bonaventure High football Coach Paul Spinner has been named coach at Santa Paula.

Spinner, 45, replaces Rick Shoup, who resigned after his only season leading the Cardinals.

A graduate of Loyola High and Cal State Los Angeles, Spinner began his coaching career at St. Francis High in 1970, where he was an assistant track and sophomore football coach.

He then moved to St. Bonaventure, where he coached from 1973 to 1988, the last five seasons as the head varsity coach. Spinner led the Seraphs to the playoffs three times, including a Tri-Valley League championship in 1984.

Spinner went into construction business for 3 1/2 years. He started as a teacher at Santa Paula in February 1992 and assisted with the football team last season.

“I just kind of got the (coaching) bug again last year,” Spinner said. “This opportunity came up and I was encouraged by my family to do it.”

Spinner, an English teacher, coached the offensive and defensive lines for the Cardinals during their 3-7 season in 1992.

“I’m just really excited and looking forward to the season and getting Santa Paula back on the winning track,” Spinner said.