Josh McClurg, a lifelong valley resident, is a PE teacher and head varsity football coach at Santa Ynez Valley Union High School.
Family: I’m married to Angela McClurg with sons Cash, Canyon and Ryder. My parents Brent and Chris McClurg own Brent and Jeff’s Flooring. My brother Jeff McClurg and sister Sarah Snow both live in the valley as well.
Favorite movies: “Tombstone” and “Braveheart”
Favorite book/author: “At Night She Cries, While he Rides His Steed,” by Ross Patterson
Favorite music and musician: ’90s rap and outlaw country (I know, a weird combo), and Kid Rock
Hobbies: Weightlifting, waterfowl hunting, waterskiing/wakeboarding, watching my kids’ sporting events, barbecuing at home for the family.
Your Bio in One Paragraph: I was born in Santa Barbara on a sunny, beautiful spring day in April. Parents and I move to SY one year later. Attended Santa Ynez Elementary School (Bobcat Pride!). Graduated from SYHS in 1994 (played football, basketball, and track). Played football at Allan Hancock for two years then transferred to Chico State, where I played football and then graduated in 1999. I met my wife in college, got married in 2001 and then had our twin sons, Cash and Canyon, in 2003. Then in 2007 we had our youngest son, Ryder.
Pet Peeves: People who are late! People who are not accountable for their actions. People who make excuses or blame others for why they didn’t get a fair shot at something.
Road to the Santa Ynez Valley: My first teaching Job was at Kit Carson Middle School in Sacramento, where I was also the head basketball coach. In 2003 we moved back to the valley to raise a family. I was hired by Lucia Mar Unified School District to be an elementary PE teacher. I taught at Harloe Elementary, Grover Beach and Shell Beach.
In 2004 I was able to transfer to Nipomo High School to teach PE and be the head JV football coach. In 2005 I was moved up to coach varsity football as the defensive backs coach. In 2006 I coached the varsity defensive line. From 2007-2010 I was the defensive coordinator at Nipomo. In 2011, Ken Gruendyke asked me to be an assistant football coach at SYHS, and I of course accepted. In 2012 I was hired at SYHS as a PE teacher and head football coach following Coach Gruendyke’s retirement.
Favorite Place in the Santa Ynez Valley: Nira, Fig Mountain lookout, and anywhere in the Santa Ynez backcountry.
