Whether it’s in academics or athletics, staff and students at Ripon High are examples of hard-working people and should earn recognition for their hard work. Christopher Musseman, the Head Coach for Football is an example of that and is being nominated for a top award.

Coach Musseman has been coaching at RHS since 2002 in hopes of helping other kids get the same experience with athletics that he has received. He has coached about every position and has coordinated all the phases of the game over the years. He describes his favorite part of coaching as running into former players and students and “seeing the great citizens they have become”.

“I think that he 100% deserves it. We were a team that was outmanned and outsized all year and he found a way to get us in the right situation to win week in and week out,”  former Football varsity player, Nico Ilardi, commented.

On Oct. 29 the California Interscholastic Federation announced the nominees from each of the 10 selection offices. Coach Musseman, along with 21 others were announced in the Sac-Joaquin selections for the National Federation of State High School Associations California State Coach of the Year award. A huge contribution of his earning this award was his leadership throughout the Indian’s win last year, which earned them both Regional and State titles. Although there were obstacles throughout the season, Musseman’s leadership helped the Indians earn their righteous title as Division 4-AA State Champions. 

The State Coach of the Year Award is an award to give the spotlight to individuals who have shown positive work with their student-athletes. Musseman is very deserving of this nomination as throughout his career his leadership skills and hard work have shown through his players. 

“I did not expect to receive anything like this. It takes the entire group, players and coaches, to accomplish something like that. It should be an award for everyone involved. I am just a small part in all of it,” said Coach Musseman.