Linder Won’t Return to Santa Ana Valley

Dick Linder, who replaced Willie Williams as head football coach at Santa Ana Valley High School 10 days before the 1985 season began, has decided not to return.

Linder, 50, was an assistant at Santa Ana (from 1970-77) and Saddleback (1978-84) before moving to Santa Ana Valley in 1985 to become defensive coordinator and offensive line coach.

But when Williams resigned last September, Linder was elevated to head coach of the Falcons, who finished 1-9. Santa Ana Valley was 0-10 in 1984.

“I’m afraid that the program would take longer to develop than a few years, and I’m a little too old to be starting over again,” Linder said, adding that he hasn’t decided whether he will return as an assistant next year.