‘It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.’ Livingston football coach steps down
For the past eight years Alex Gonzalez had his dream job as the Livingston High School football coach. That’s why it’s so hard for Gonzalez to walk away.
Gonzalez recently stepped down as the Wolves football coach to spend more time with his family, including his two young sons.
“It’s the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make, but I know it’s the right decision,” Gonzalez said. “I need to be a coach to my two boys right now.”
Gonzalez leaves with the Wolves program headed in the right direction.
Livingston compiled a 28-50 record in Gonzalez’s eight seasons, but are coming off winning seasons in the last three years. The Wolves finished 7-5 this past season, reaching the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V semifinals.
“The team is 16-12 the last two and half years in what is one of the toughest small-school leagues in the state,” said Livingston athletic director Scott Winton. “He’s responsible for getting the program in that direction. He’s setting the culture and getting the kids to buy into it.”
Winton says one common comment he hears from opposing team is how hard Livingston’s kids play.
“He has a gift for relating to our kids, being a guy who grew up in Livingston,” Winton said. “He knows our kids, he knows their backgrounds. He builds trust and relationships with the guys and with that trust, they play hard for him.”
Gonzalez graduated from Livingston High in 2000. So being named the Wolves head coach in 2014 meant the world to him. He takes pride in what the program has accomplished during his tenure.
“Honestly it melts my heart,” Gonzalez said. “I was the only Livingstonian to take over the program and I didn’t take that for granted. It was an honor to be in that position every day for the last eight years.”
Gonzalez says he just can’t afford to spend that much time away from his family, especially with two young sons in Zander, 4, and Milo, 1.
“My wife has been very patient and understanding,” Gonzalez said. “There’s no pressure coming from her. It was a dream for me to be a coach at Livingston. It’s a spot I love. The community means so much to me. I grew up here and being a part of that meant so much to me.
“For six to eight months, I’m away from (my family) all the time,” he added. “Even during the off season, you’re present but you’re not mentally present.”
Winton says the school has posted the head coach job opening and they have a preliminary list of candidates. Interviews are expected to start next week.
Gonzalez plans to continue teaching at Livingston High and wants to help the transition to the new coach go as smoothly as possible.
“I want to be Livingston’s No. 1 fan and support the program as much as I can,” Gonzalez said. “I hope the program continues to grow. The community deserves that.”
This story was originally published January 20, 2022 at 10:50 AM.
