Coach Roanhaus, warts and all, will be missed

Three things we will always remember about Eric Roanhaus:

• The success of his Clovis High School football teams;

• His, um, political incorrectness;

• The loyalty that went both ways with his players.

Roanhaus, 69, announced his “resignation” on Wednesday. He said he is not retiring because “retirement is for old people” and he may want to coach again in a year or so.

Whether he’s finished or not, his legacy is secure.

Roanhaus spent 39 seasons as Clovis’ head football coach, won more games — 343 — than any other high school coach in New Mexico history, and led his teams to 10 state championships.

It’s hard to say which record / statistic is most impressive, but these have to be in the conversation:

• His teams won five straight championships, from 1981 through 1985;

• His 2001 state-title squad went undefeated (13-0);

• His career record in first-round playoff games is 29-1.

• His career winning percentage as a head coach is .701.

“I’ve never been around anyone as organized and as thorough when it comes to breaking down film and being prepared,” Dale Fullerton, who coached with Roanhaus, told reporter Kevin Wilson in 2012.

“He’s probably, of all the people I know, the most competitive person I’ve ever been around.”

The headlines did not always focus on his success, of course.

He grabbed national attention in 2001 after the Supreme Court had upheld a ruling that school officials could not lead students in prayer.

“If you don’t want to pray with me, you can just go be a communist,” Clovis newspaper reporter Gary Mitchell quoted Roanhaus saying. The Associated Press and other news agencies picked up the story.

A few minutes before Clovis’ first home game after the story appeared, a fan asked Roanhaus if he’d really made the statement.

“Nope. I was misquoted,” the coach said, glancing at Mitchell, who was within earshot.

“What I said was, ‘If you don’t want to pray with me, you can just go be a (expletive) communist.’”

Some will always wonder if his colorful language, occasional temper tantrums — suspended by CHS at least twice for off-the-field behavior — and other antics set a good example for the young men he was supposed to be leading.

But his critics are always countered by the former players and assistant coaches who tell stories about the coach’s character when he’s outside the spotlight.

As reported in 2012 by Wilson:

• “He told me I had one of the biggest hearts he had ever seen,” said David Sena, who played for Roanhaus in the 1990s. “He told me to use that in life beyond football.

“I was 5-foot-5, 120 (pounds), and I started at five positions for a state championship team. I’m very proud of that, but he’s the one who encouraged me. ... He could inspire the dead to wake up.”

• “I think the one thing I remember is how he always taught us about life after football,” said Jordan Hill, from the class of 2011. “He was trying to make us stronger people and prepare us for the real world. ... I think you'll find a lot of players feel the same way.”

• “I think a lot of people only see the rough side, but it’s tough love,” said Fullerton.

“He’s really a caring, compassionate person that cares about his players and his coaches and his family.”

Unsigned editorials are the opinion of the Clovis Media Inc.’s editorial board, which consists of Publisher Rob Langrell and Editor David Stevens.