Prep football stunner: Paul Cronin leaving Windsor High after one season

Paul Cronin’s tenure at Windsor High School is over after one season.

The legendary football coach, who is No. 2 in all-time wins in Sonoma County history, stepped down as the leader of the Jaguars program on Friday to take the head coaching job at Newark Catholic in Newark, Ohio.

Cronin said on Friday that the move was for family reasons. His wife, Tracey, has developed back problems over the 20-plus years she’s worked as a dental hygienist. Cronin said his new job in Ohio will allow her to not have to work full-time anymore.

“I kinda thought we’d be here one more year, but then something popped up that was gonna be a really good spot for us,” he told The Press Democrat on Friday. “The money was right and it’ll allow her to be a stay-at-home mom and take care of herself.”

Cronin informed his players of his departure on Friday morning. He’s leaving Windsor effectively immediately, taking the upcoming spring break as a chance to relocate with his family. He said he’s going to start the drive to the Midwest on Monday.

“I’ve got to get to the next spot now,” he said. “In football, your job is going to be January to December. So now you’ve got to start working.”

Cronin said his players and the Windsor administration were nothing but supportive when he informed them of his decision.

“It’s always sad when good staff leaves,” Windsor superintendent Jeremy Decker said in a statement on Friday afternoon. “But the good news is that the excellent team in place for the football program remains intact, and we are excited about planning to fill the head coach position with someone who can continue to build the program and move it forward.”

Jamie Williams, Windsor’s athletic director, said she had heard rumors about Cronin’s potential departure but was a bit surprised at the news on Friday.

“As shocking as it may seem to the community and our families, I am personally grateful for the time that he and his amazing staff put in with the kids and the program,” she said.

Williams added that Windsor will begin working immediately to fill the vacant head coaching role. Junior varsity head coach DJ Sexton will serve as the interim varsity head coach.

Cronin’s varsity staff is also remaining at Windsor to lead spring practices.

“We will be sad to lose him, but we are retaining our staff and everybody is in on board to continue to press forward and continue what we’ve been doing over the course of many years, but especially with the success we had this last year,” Williams said.

In his one season at Windsor, Cronin led the Jaguars to just their second North Coast Section title in school history. Windsor went 11-2 this past season, finishing second in the North Bay League-Oak standings. The Jaguars went on to win the NCS Division III title, earning their first-ever trip to the CIF NorCal playoffs, where they fell to eventual state champion Vanden-Fairfield in the opening round.

Cronin jumped to Windsor during the spring of 2021 after stepping down at Cardinal Newman following 18 successful seasons growing the Cardinals’ football program into a regional powerhouse.

Cronin began his coaching career at Piner, his alma mater, in 1998 before landing at Cardinal Newman in 2003. During his 18-year tenure, Cronin led the Cardinals to five NCS titles and three state title game appearances, eventually capturing the school’s first state title in 2019.

Over his career in Sonoma County, Cronin amassed a 222-68-2 overall record, according to records kept by CalHi Sports. His total career wins are second in county history behind longtime Montgomery head coach Jason Franci, who won 232 games.

“I feel very lucky, I created a lot of great relationships over my career and my childhood here,” Cronin said. “I don’t mind leaving the gas prices, but I hate leaving the people.”

The Newark Catholic program he inherits in Ohio is coming off a 14-win season and a runner-up finish in the state playoffs. The program has won nine state titles in school history, including five in the 1980s, and continues to be a high-level player in the state. Over the last three seasons, Newark Catholic has gone 31-9 and has made three consecutive deep runs in the state playoffs.

“Football-wise, I’m probably done coaching football here, unless something crazy happens,” Cronin said. “But that’s OK, I feel good about my career in Sonoma County as a coach and the people I’ve met and the lives that have touched me. I think I got over 150 texts today from people thanking me for coaching them. I will definitely miss those people a ton.”

You can reach Staff Writer Gus Morris at 707-304-9372 or gus.morris@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @JustGusPD.