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Dan Albano. Sports HS Reporter.

// MORE INFORMATION: Staff Mug Shot taken August 26, 2010 : by KATE LUCAS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER.

Orange Lutheran football coach Chuck Petersen, who guided the Lancers to the playoffs in three of his five seasons, won’t return in 2017, the Trinity League school announced Friday.

Petersen, a former collegiate assistant, and Orange Lutheran mutually parted ways, the school said.

“It was more of a mutual agreement (to part),” said Brantley Watson, public relations coordinator for the school. “Both sides decided that we should move in a different direction.”

Petersen didn’t immediately return messages Friday morning seeking comment.

He is the second Trinity League football coach in the past few weeks to depart, joining JSerra’s Jim Hartigan.

Orange Lutheran finished 5-6 this past season, tying for third in the league before falling to undefeated Rancho Cucamonga, 27-7, in the first round of the CIF-SS Division 1 playoffs.

The Lancers again played a difficult nonleague schedule, losing to La Mirada and Centennial of Corona. They went 2-3 in league.

Petersen finished with a 28-26 record at Orange Lutheran. The Lancers reached the Pac-5 quarterfinals in 2015, falling to eventual champion Centennial of Corona.

Petersen enjoyed a long and successful stint at Air Force before Orange Lutheran.

He coached 17 years at Air Force, where he guided the quarterbacks and receivers before becoming offensive coordinator. He was named Assistant Coach of the Year in 2003 by the American Football Coaches Association.

Petersen replaced longtime Orange Lutheran coach Jim Kunau, who recently guided Rancho Christian to the CIF-SS Division 13 title with a victory against Santa Ana in the finals.

Orange Lutheran said it could announce details about its coaching position soon.

“We’ve got a plan in place,” Watson said, “that will come to light next week.” 

Here’s the full announcement from Orange Lutheran:

Chuck Petersen, Orange Lutheran’s head football coach for the past five seasons, will conclude his coaching career at Orange Lutheran, effective December 9, 2016.

Orange Lutheran is thankful for the time and commitment that Coach Petersen invested into the lives of the young men in the football program and for the investment he made into the Lancer campus community during his tenure. We are grateful for his service to the Lord and pray God’s richest blessings on him, as he continues in his career to impact students for Christ.

Orange Lutheran High School remains committed to the strategic vision and growth of the football program and to providing excellent leadership that seeks to pursue the mission of the school through this special platform. Details regarding the leadership transition in the program will be communicated at the appropriate time.