Eldorado’s Trujillo resigns

Spencer Patterson

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2000 | 9:56 a.m.

Coming off the most successful season in his tenure as head football coach, Eldorado High School's Ken Trujillo has resigned in order to spend more time with his family.

"I'm at the school seven days a week, working late into the night, and I have four kids at home," Trujillo, 47, said. "Earlier this season, one of my kids looked at me and said, 'Daddy, I haven't seen you in two days.' That hit home.

"I'll always love football, and coaching is something I love to do, but I also realize now it's time to spend time with my family."

Trujillo joined the staff at Eldorado in 1977, serving as an assistant under five different head football coaches before taking over the program in 1996. During his five seasons at the helm, he compiled a 32-21 record, making the playoffs every year and capturing three straight division titles from 1998-2000.

This past season, the Sundevils finished 10-3, winning the Northeast Division and the Sunrise Region title and earning a trip to the 4A State Tournament.

"When we first took this program over, we wanted to make it something special, and I think we did that," Trujillo said. "We put the school on the map in football, and that's satisfying."

Trujillo said he will remain at the school for now, serving as a weight training teacher and the Sundevils' head boys basketball coach. He said he has submitted his name into the pool for an administrative position, however, and will leave Eldorado should such an opportunity arise.

"I'm hoping there's any administrator out there who sees something in me and wants to make an appointment," Trujillo said.

As for his football coaching days, Trujillo said those are likely behind him forever.

"As far as coaching goes, I think I'm pretty well done. I love my (players), I love this football program and I love this school," Trujillo said. "And I've had such unbelievable parental support here. So it's very emotional. Even now, I'm still coming to grips with it.

"You can't just leave coaching and not feel anything. But then I look up and see my baby's face, and I know I'm making the right choice."