Vogt out at Reedley, finished as prep head coach but rejoining Buchanan
Mike Vogt said he is finished as a high school head football coach, but just beginning on the other end of assisting someone he greatly admires in the game: Matt Giordano.
“I think the world of him and I want to help in any way I can,” said Vogt, who has resigned as Reedley’s football CEO while agreeing to return to Buchanan, where he will be defensive coordinator for new Bears coach Giordano.
Vogt had been Buchanan’s head coach for 19 years before following his roots for three years at Reedley, where he graduated in 1977.
Turning 57 Monday, Vogt checks out – and for good, he says, as a head coach – with a 27-year record of 174-125, tied for 11th in wins in Central Section history, according to historian Bob Barnett.
The desire to help kids in the classroom or on the field never waned at all. It’s the other duties outside of coaching and teaching that have worn on me.
Mike Vogt
“The desire to help kids in the classroom or on the field never waned at all,” he said this week on campus while wearing a green and black Reedley football polo shirt. “It’s the other duties outside of coaching and teaching that have worn on me. The last two years, for the first time in my coaching life, have taken a physical toll.”
He also coached five years at Mt. Whitney. All told, there were 10 league titles and one section championship, that in 2000 when future nine-year NFL safety Giordano helped power a 12-1 Buchanan team as a two-way star. The Bears’ only loss was 30-24 to De La Salle-Concord – the Spartans’ 101st consecutive win.
Giordano, two months ago, was elevated from defensive coordinator to replace Mike Jacot as Buchanan’s coach.
Soon, Vogt was rumored to be returning to the Bears as an assistant.
“When you think about being an assistant coach, at my age, it’s got to be with a person you believe in,” Vogt said. “Matt’s a special guy. I kept in touch with him all the years he played in the NFL. He’s very down to earth; a great family guy. I just think he has his priorities straight. This will be a fun way for me to end up coaching, working with him.”
Vogt says he will shift from Reedley to Buchanan and continue to teach English and physical education.
Andy Boogaard: 559-441-6400, @beepreps
This story was originally published April 2, 2016 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Vogt out at Reedley, finished as prep head coach but rejoining Buchanan."