Cicuto steps down as coach

GLENDALE — Those who played and coached alongside John Cicuto can attest to his contributions on and off the field.

The 63-year-old Cicuto, who helped develop his share of fine coaches and players, resigned Sunday at the team’s banquet. He finished 98-95-2 in 19 seasons, in addition to leading the Vaqueros to three bowl victories in five appearances.

Cicuto, a Fresno State graduate, will continue to serve as Glendale college’s athletic director and teach full time.

It’s not clear who will succeed Cicuto, a former All-American tackle at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame High.

Cicuto took over the program in 1989 from Jim Sartoris, who coached Glendale college from 1972-89 and is the program’s winningiest coach. He was previously the team’s defensive coordinator, beginning his days as an assistant at Glendale college in 1975.

Cicuto said he grappled with making the decision, which he made following the conclusion of the season.

“When I was appointed the athletic director, the college administration wasn’t in favor of me staying on as football coach just because they questioned whether I could do both jobs,” Cicuto said. “I told them to let me try it for at least a year.

“It was hard juggling both jobs, and I’m the type of person where I’m self-conscience in doing a job the best I can. I knew as the season went on that it would be real tough, and I figured to best tell the team at the banquet, so that everybody would know and we could get the process going [to find a successor].”

Under Cicuto, the Vaqueros captured the Southern California Bowl in 1990, the U.S. Bank Beach Bowl in 2001 and the Western State Bowl in 2006. The Vaqueros finished this season 6-4 and 5-2 in the Western State Conference’s Pacific Division under All-Americans Grant Valentine, Ray McDonough and Zack Williams — the last three of 35 All-Americans during Cicuto’s tenure.

There are more than a fair share of program memories for Cicuto, from coaching All-Americans to competing in ball games to seeing the Vaqueros play true home games on campus after years of playing home contests at Glendale High’s Moyse Field.

“There are so many memories, that it’s hard to zero them all down,” Cicuto said. “There’s not a day that goes by where I don’t thank the higher powers for me being at GCC.”

“I’m blessed to have close friends, to have gone through so many exciting times and have the school be that important to me.”