Dougherty Valley football coach Nick Tisa announced his resignation from that position on Monday, after spending the past eight years on staff for the Wildcats, the last five as the head coach.
Tisa guided Dougherty Valley to playoff berths in 2013 and 2015, with the Wildcats' 6-4 record in the 2015 regular season serving as his best year at the helm. The program was moved to the East Bay Athletic League prior to Tisa's final two seasons, which resulted in identical 1-9 records against the more established football programs in the EBAL.
Despite that, Tisa's decision stemmed from a personal nature, not one indicative of his belief in the Dougherty Valley program.
"It was a fun eight years, and we tried to build a program based on character and accountability," Tisa said. "We focused on using football as a tool to prepare these young men for life after football. Any kid who played for me will be a better husband, father, and employee."
Despite winning just one game last year, an overtime victory against San Lorenzo, Tisa was optimistic about the future of the Wildcats' program, one which returns such players as juniors Xavier Coleman, Steven Bratcher, Eric Delgesso, and current sophomore Diego Barragan.
"There's a great group of kids that love to play football and have stayed with the program. I wish them the best," said Tisa, who cited time with his family and his commute back home as factors in his decision. "Dougherty Valley has been a great gateway as an opportunity to build positive relationships and mentor both coaches and players."
Tisa is the third high profile coach in the Bay Area to step down in the past month, after Freedom's Kevin Hartwig and Encinal's Ricky Rodriguez announced their resignations in December.
