Justin Schaeffer is the new football coach at Fountain Valley.
He had been Murrieta Mesa’s only football head coach since the school opened in 2009.
Schaeffer replaces Ray Fenton, who resigned in January to become the coach at Los Alamitos.
“It was clear from the start of our process that Coach Schaeffer embodied all the qualities we were looking for in our next head coach,” Fountain Valley principal Dr. Morgan Smith said in a statement issued by the school. “We’re looking forward to the outstanding leadership he will provide and develop in our student athletes.”
Murrieta Mesa was 5-5 overall and 2-3 in the Southwestern League in 2015. Schaeffer’s overall record at Murrieta Mesa was 26-34, including 3-27 in the Southwestern League.
The Southwestern League is a CIF-SS West Valley Division league that includes 2015 division finalist Vista Murrieta.
“We are absolutely thrilled that Justin has decided to join the Baron family,” Co-athletic director Steve Eggert said. “His experience, personality, temperament and energy are what we are looking for … (He) has been successful at every stop of his career and came highly recommended …”
Schaeffer was a three-sport athlete at Hilltop of Chula Vista. He played cornerback at Southwestern College. Schaeffer later coached at Southwestern where he was defensive coordinator until taking the Murrieta Mesa job.
Fountain Valley was 7-4 overall last season finished second in the Sunset League. The Barons lost to Murrieta Valley, 48-7, in the first round of the West Valley Division playoffs.
Contact the writer: sfryer@ocregister.com
