Robert Hubbard was announced Wednesday as the new football coach at Deer Valley, replacing Rich Woods who guided the Wolverines to undefeated league championships in 2006 and 2009.
Hubbard, who is a full-time special education and life skills teacher at Deer Valley, takes over a program for the first time, having previously served as an assistant coach at Northgate 2007 to 2010. He doubled as a varsity assistant coach and the junior varsity coach during that time, before stepping away from coaching duties in order to pursue his teaching credential and master’s degree on a full-time basis.
Hubbard brings his own successful playing career with him to the Wolverine program. After a prep career at Emery High School, Hubbard was an all-state running back for Diablo Valley College, before playing his final two seasons at the University of Nevada-Reno. He amassed 1239 yards from scrimmage with eight touchdowns in his senior year for the Wolfpack.
As an on-campus teacher and coach, Hubbard stressed that academics will be the No. 1 priority for his program, along with instilling values that will guide his team off the field.
“Our goal is to teach life skills through the sport of football,” said Hubbard. “I could go on and on about how football has helped me and I want to give these students some of the same life skills and opportunities that I was given.”
Hubbard’s enthusiasm for taking over the Wolverine program is also echoed in the sentiments of Deer Valley athletic director Scott Allen.
“We’re very excited to see the high level of energy, integrity, and unity that coach Hubbard will bring to the football program and Deer Valley family,” said Allen. “His positive attitude will develop strong community ties to the school.”
As a late April coaching hire, Hubbard knows that he has a short amount of time to prepare his team for both spring and summer football practices, not to mention a non-league schedule that includes East Bay Athletic League foe Granada and the defending Division III state champion, Campolindo.
“We know we have to hit the ground running,” said Hubbard, whose new program went 0-5 in Bay Valley Athletic League play last season. “But I’m excited to get things started and begin making a positive impact on the young men in this program.”
