Goodbody steps down

 Steve Goodbody came in with one goal 11 years ago, and that was to make the Salinas football program stronger than when he arrived as the head coach.

"If you remember, I said I wanted to be here 10 years and leave the program in a better state,’’ Goodbody said. "I think we’ve done that.’’

The longest tenured football coach in school history, Goodbody stepped down Wednesday as the winningest football coach at Salinas.

"Basically this decision came down to family,’’ Goodbody said. "I have grandchildren that I want to see.’’

Goodbody will retire as a teacher at the end of the school year and move to Colorado to be closer to his family.

"My wife calls it the next adventure,’’ Goodbody said.

Goodbody, who won 67 games over 11 years, took the Cowboys to a school record nine straight playoff appearances, a share of the Gabilan Division title in 2014 and a spot in the Central Coast Section Division I finals.

"I wanted to make sure the program is where I wanted it to be,’’ said Goodbody, who came to Salinas after a nine-year stint as a head football coach in Idaho. "I’ve pretty much done everything at Salinas."

When Goodbody took over the Cowboys program in 2006, Salinas was coming off a 1-9 season.

"Those kids that played for me in 2006 had no shot at the playoffs,’’ Goodbody said. "But those kids bought into what we were doing, helped lay down the foundation and saved the program.’’

Salinas went 4-6 in Goodbody’s first season, which included him enduring appendicitis on Halloween.

"That first year was critical for us,’’ Goodbody said.

Goodbody, 61, had the Cowboys back on track and in the postseason by his third season, starting a streak that remains intact as he steps down.

"The challenge is living up to the high demands and expectations,’’ Goodbody said. "That’s what I’ve enjoyed. We have never shied away from that. We wanted the push from parents and boosters.’’

Goodbody pushed the pendulum, scheduling nonleague games against Nevada state power Hug in 2008, southern California power La Costa Canyon in 2009, Sacred Heart Prep during its 2014 state title run and Northern California bowl bound Milpitas this fall.

"I’ve never put a lot of stock into wins and losses,’’ Goodbody said. "No one can match our schedule with public schools. We pushed the kids. Our kids had a lot of pride in that.’’

Goodbody isn’t leaving the cupboard bare. For the second straight year, Salinas is bringing up a junior varsity squad that was 10-0. The core from this past season’s team will be back.

"There is some talented kids with great work ethics and character in the program,’’ Goodbody said. "The next coach can go right to work with this group.’’

Who that next coach will be is open for debate. One name that surfaced almost immediately after Goodbody made his announcement was Salinas offensive line coach Steven Zenk, a former head coach at North Salinas.

Another potential candidate could be current Carmel coach Golden Anderson, who lives in Salinas.

Goodbody will not serve on the hiring committee.

"I don’t know if it would be in the best interest of the program for me to be on the hiring committee,’’ Goodbody said. "I think it’s a coveted job. I think there will be a tremendous number of applicants. But that’s up to the committee.’’

Zenk was still digesting the news of Goodbody stepping down Wednesday.

"The difference Steve makes in young men’s lives every day was amazing to watch and be part of,’’ Zenk said. "I will miss his leadership and his passion. There are a lot of great coaches out there, but there are few that are exceptional men. I love him and miss him already.’’

A former running back at the University of San Diego, Goodbody has been coaching football for 38 years.

"I don’t know what’s in store for me,’’ Goodbody. "I’ve loved this game since I was 10 years old. I won’t rule out coaching again at some point. I still feel good and young.’’

The interaction with players, helping mold teenagers into men is what Goodbody said he will miss the most.

"Every Friday is like a final exam,’’ Goodbody said. "You’re graded on how you coach. The ups and downs. It’s not easy. For me it’s always been about the kids, building character on and off the field. There’s no better teaching tool than sports.’’