Harry Edward Welch Jr. (born April 4, 1945) is an American retired high school football coach who is one of the most successful in California prep football history. In a 43-year coaching career, 25 of which were as a head coach, Welch averaged over 10 wins per season. He finished with a career coaching record of 257 wins, 61 losses and 2 ties—an 80.6% winning percentage. Welch is the only California high school football coach to lead three different schools to state championship wins on the field. In that realm he was a perfect 3–0. In late 2009, Welch was recognized by the Los Angeles Daily News as the high school "Football Coach of the Decade," Famous Coach Takes Over SMCHS Football Team | http://www.news-n-views.com/asp/articlenews.asp?art_id=3844&issue_date=Jan 31, 2010&place=0659587&edent=2167894 covering the 2000–09 seasons. In the ten-year span, nine of which he coached, Welch's overall record was 100-17 (.855). He boasted double-digit wins the last seven years of the decade that included two state championships and two undefeated campaigns. In 2022, Welch's fruitful career was acknowledged and honored with being chosen to two Halls of Fame—the California Interscholastic Federation – Southern Section (CIF-SS) Hall of Fame and in the inaugural class of the California High School Football Hall of Fame. Although widely known for his football success, Welch's career accomplishments carried beyond athletics. His leadership on the football field was equally paired with his dedication as an academic educator. Welch was a gifted teacher who spent as many years in the classroom as he did on the field.
Early years Welch was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 4, 1945, to Harry Edward Welch Sr. and Marie Agnes Welch (nee Snow), joining older sisters June and Diane. In 1954, at age 9, the Welch family moved to Tarzana, California, where his father was employed in the theater business.
High school For high school, Welch enrolled at the newly opened Crespi High School in Encino. There he played on the football team, being utilized at nearly every position on both sides of the ball, including quarterback. In addition, Welch was very active in student government. During the 1961 season, he solidified a place in the early history of the school's football program. On November 24, Welch threw the first touchdown pass in school playoff history—a 10-yard strike to Pat Breaux in a 14–7 loss at Bishop Union High School. On October 6, 1962, Crespi hosted St. Bernard's (Playa Del Rey) in what was their first-ever Camino Real League game. During the first quarter, Celts' starting quarterback Tom Mooney left with an ankle injury. Welch, the team's backup, came on to lead his club to a 19–6 victory and maintain an undefeated slate of 3–0 to start the season. That game, Welch completed 8-of-12 passes (66.7%) for 75 yards and engineered all three of his school's touchdown scoring drives.
College Upon graduating high school in 1963, Welch headed north to the Bay Area and attended Santa Clara University for one year before returning to the Los Angeles area. He continued his studies at nearby San Fernando Valley State College (now known as California State University, Northridge) and received his bachelor's degree in history and English in 1967. Shortly thereafter, he earned his master's degree and teaching credential.
Coaching career High school and junior college Welch embarked on a coaching career as an assistant at his alma mater, Crespi High School, in 1965 while still completing his college degree. One of his most notable players for the Celts was Randy Cross, an offensive lineman who would go on to play at the University of California, Los Angeles and emerge as an All-Pro selection and three-time Super Bowl champion with the San Francisco 49ers. Welch later moved on to be an assistant coach at Los Angeles Valley College from 1974 to 1978. With the Monarchs, he mentored future NFL professionals Odis McKinney, Vernon Dean and Jack Steptoe. The 1975 team won the Metro Conference title, were Potato Bowl champions and concluded the season ranked No. 2 in the national polls.
Canyon High School In 1982, at age 37, Welch was named the head coach at Canyon High School and served in that capacity for twelve seasons from 1982 through 1993. It was the first of his two stints with the Cowboys. After just one season, Welch enjoyed success with three-consecutive CIF-Southern Section (CIF-SS) championships while posting a 46-game winning streak along the way, over parts of three seasons (1983–85). He led Canyon to the 1983 Northwestern Conference title with a win over Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 40–24 at College of the Canyons. The following season his team defeated Santa Maria 33–6 for a second-consecutive Northwestern Conference title, again at College of the Canyons. In 1985, the Cowboys completed the trifecta, their third championship in succession, with a hard-fought 9–7 victory versus Antelope Valley at Canyon. In 1988, Antelope Valley avenged that defeat to claim the Division II title 28–22 in what would be Welch's only championship game setback of his entire career. In 1993, after twelve successful seasons, he stepped away from the field but remained a teacher at the school.
One of Welch's anchors on the Cowboy defense from 1988 to 1990 was the late Chuck Osborne Jr. The talented defensive tackle was selected All-Golden Valley League and All-Santa Clarita Valley First-Team - Defense in 1991. Osborne played college football at the University of Arizona where he was a key member of the famed "Desert Swarm" defense.
On August 30, 1990, Canyon High School, coached by Welch, played an away game against Saint Louis High School in Honolulu, Hawaii. Prior to the game, Saint Louis had a 55-game winning streak dating back to late 1985. Canyon won the game 40–0, marking the only time Saint Louis has been shutout by an opponent from the continental United States. The 40-point margin remains the third-largest defeat Saint Louis has experienced against a mainland school, surpassed only by St. John Bosco in 2014 (49 points) and Bishop Gorman in 2022 (42 points).
In 2001 Welch returned once again as the head coach at Canyon and led the Cowboys to two-consecutive CIF-SS titles in 2005 and 2006. The 2005 Division II title game marked a showdown between Canyon and neighboring Foothill League rival Hart (Newhall). The two schools, separated by less than 10 miles, travelled all the way to the Home Depot Center in Carson to decide the outcome. Canyon came away with the 21–13 win as they beat the Indians for the second time in the span of a month.
Welch's 2006 team squeezed past Moorpark 24–22 in the Northern Division Championship game. It was the second win over the Musketeers that season. The Cowboys were then selected to represent the South in the first true high school championship game in California since the 1927 season. Canyon was pitted against the juggernaut program that reigned California prep football for two decades -- Concord De La Salle. On December 16, 2006, the undaunted Cowboys rolled past the Spartans 27–13 to claim the State Division I Championship Bowl Game—the first of Welch's three state titles. Just weeks later, in early January 2007, Welch resigned from his position at Canyon.
While at Canyon Welch became a distinguished English literature teacher. His class offerings were unique and thought provoking which led them to become student favorites. The most popular courses were his Bible as Literature and Shakespeare classes. For five years Welch served as a mentor in the William S. Hart Union High School District and in 1991 was voted "Teacher of the Year" at Canyon.
St. Margaret's In 2007, shortly after his departure from Canyon, Welch accepted the head coaching position at St. Margaret's Episcopal School. At the same time he relocated his residence to Orange County (California). Welch was at the helm of the Tartan's program for three remarkable seasons. He guided the program to a near flawless record of 42–1, which included a 30-game winning streak, three CIF-SS championships and one California State Bowl title over the three-season period of 2007–09.
The first season, 2007, St. Margaret's finished 14–0 and won the CIF-SS Northeast Division title by defeating [Brentwood School] (Los Angeles), 37–6 on a neutral field (Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks). The Tartan's high-octane offense scored a then Orange County (California) single-season record 674 points.
The 2008 season saw St. Margaret's move up a division level. Undaunted, they finished undefeated once again (15–0) and claimed the CIF-SS East Valley Division crown, against [Twentynine Palms High School] at home, 17–3. The following week the Tartans won 59–7 as they dominated Hamilton Union High School (Chico) at the Home Depot Center (Carson) in the inaugural California State Small School Championship Bowl Game. A highlight of the season was the 742 points the team scored—another new Orange County record and fourth-best total in CIF-SS history. Welch notched his 200th career victory the middle of the season against Western Christian High School (Upland, California), 58–7.
In December 2009, St. Margaret's travelled over 300 miles one-way, to play a postseason semifinal game at Bishop Union High School. The school, located in Inyo County, has an elevation of 4,150 feet. Weather conditions were inclement enough for the game to be considered the "coldest recorded football game" in CIF-SS history—an immediate chapter in playoff lore. After the 7:30 p.m. start, temperatures dropped to approximately 30 degrees, with winds blowing at 18 mph (40 mph gusts) and a wind chill factor of 19 degrees. The Tartans prevailed 47–6.
The following week, at Ontario Christian, the wind chill was a bit higher at 43 degrees but the elements were again challenging as the Tartans played on a muddy track and captured another title, 12–6, scoring a late touchdown to seal the triumph.
The win was St. Margaret's fourth-consecutive CIF-SS title (2006–09) which was also an Orange County record and placed the Tartans in "rare air" as one of only three programs in CIF-SS history to accomplish such a feat: Temple City, 1969–72 and St. Bonaventure (Ventura), 1999–2002 were the other two. The school won a CIF-SS title the season before Welch arrived under the leadership of coach Jason Hitchens.
At the conclusion of the 2010 season, Welch resigned from his position at St. Margaret's and accepted the head coaching role at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. His final record with the Tartans was an unrivaled 42–1 (.976).
Santa Margarita Welch was introduced as the third head football coach in Santa Margarita Catholic High School football history on January 21, 2010. After posting consecutive 3–7 seasons in both 2008 and 2009, Santa Margarita hired Welch to return the program to greatness in the ever-rugged Trinity League. The coaching change made significant impact as the Eagles made a big jump forward as they finished 9–3. Turning in the right direction, the six-game improvement was the best increase in wins in the school's history.
With many experienced players, Welch guided the 2011 team to a 13–2 record and a victory in the CIF Division I State Championship Bowl Game. The club finished the season ranked as high as No. 10 in some national polls.