Terry Roche, a prominent Southern California high school championship football coach and the first head football coach at Chino Hills High School when it opened in 2001, died early Monday morning at the age of 72 after an illness.
The longtime Chino Hills resident is survived by his wife, Sue, a former Chino Valley Unified Administrator, two children, Becky and Brian, and seven grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 16, at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 14085 Peyton Drive, Chino Hills.
The Service is open to the public.
Following the news of Coach Roche's death, condolences poured in on social media from the Chino and Chino Hills football programs as well as St. John Bosco of Bellflower and Diamond Bar, where he coached high school football for more than 30 years.
“Terry was a great coach, motivator and friend,” said former Chino High School football coach John Monger, who coached with and played against Coach Roche. “He loved his family. He had to be on his 'A' game to beat Terry, and there were times when it didn't work out. ”
In one of the games between the two coaches, the 1998 CIF-Southern Section Division 2 Championship Finals, a late fourth quarter clinched the Diamond Bar title, with Coach Roche's Diamond Bar team defeating Coach Monger's Chino team. defeated 21-19. Chino has won 26 consecutive games since last season.
Coach Roche officially retired from varsity football in 2007, but returned to the sidelines as Chino High School's freshman football coach in 2013 and 2014 alongside Coach Monger. In 2013, the Cowboys' freshman team finished 6-0, and the Mounties won their league championship.
A statement from the Chino Hills High School football team said, “The Huskies are saddened by his loss, but grateful for his time as a teacher and coach for the Huskies.”
Diamond Bar High said, “Our Brahma community is saddened by the passing of a legendary coach. Terry was known for his ability to bring his team to perform above expectations.”
“Coach Roche left a lasting legacy to his classmates, former coaches, players, and the great CIF Southern Section community,” according to a memorial posted Monday by St. John Bosco officials.
“A great father, husband, coach, friend and family man has earned his wings,” said current Chino High School head coach John Miller. “Your legacy will live on through the lives of the thousands of people you touched and touched.”
Coach Roche graduated from St. John Bosco High School in 1969 and played two seasons on the Cerritos University football team as the starting offensive guard for the Falcons.
He then played two seasons at Long Beach State University before becoming a high school teacher and football coach.
Coach Roche has worked at Ontario, Chowchilla, St. John Bosco, Diamond Bar, and Chino Hills high schools, amassing a career record of 223-82-7.
His most successful stint was at Diamond Bar, where his teams advanced to six CIF Southern Section championship games and won titles in 1984, 1995, 1998 and 1999.
He resigned as Diamond Bar's varsity coach after 14 seasons in January 2001 and was hired a few months later as Chino Hills High School's first head football coach.
Chino Hills High School will be serving freshmen only in its first year, and Coach Roche said he is excited about the challenge of starting a football program from scratch.
Junior varsity football was added the following year, and varsity football began in 2003, but there were no seniors yet.
Despite having seniors, Coach Roche led the Huskies to the CIF Southern Section playoffs that season.
He retired from coaching varsity football on December 21, 2007.
Three years later, the coach joined the Southern California Coaches Association as the recipient of the Claire Van Hollebeke Award, which is given to “a coach who has made outstanding contributions to soccer in Southern California.”
After receiving the award, Roche said: “I'm truly humbled and overwhelmed. Thank you to everyone who has worked with me over the years, and to my friends and family for all their support.'' I'm not really interested in awards.
My award comes in the form of watching my players grow into productive citizens. ”
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