Two of Thurman Bell’s most loyal assistant football coaches have announced their retirements.
Ron Goodell and Bruce Walker are stepping down from the Roseburg High School football coaching staff.
Goodell, who has also been the head baseball coach in his time at Roseburg High School, has been on Bell’s staff for 36 years. He was the inside linebacker and wide receiver coach last season.
Walker has been on the staff for 29 years. He coached linebackers and running backs and was the defensive coordinator for Bell.
Coach Bell said he knew the decision was close for both Goodell and Walker and the retirement discussion had come up between the friends in the last two or three years.
“I’ve known these guys for a long time. They are extremely loyal coaches and they have been my close friends for years, too.”
Bell said the staff had a long meeting Monday night to talk about the changes and the next steps for the coaching staff and the program. Bell said the meeting lasted about two hours. Coach Bell met with school administration Tuesday morning to tell them about the decision both Walker and Goodell have made.
Bell said he wants both Goodell and Walker to get some well-deserved attention for their years of dedication to the Roseburg football program. He said few people stay in one place or one job for very long any more, making the length of time both men have served as coaches remarkable.
Bell realizes the changes will fuel speculation that his retirement is next, but he said he is not ready to make that decision yet.
He said, “I love the game, I love the kids and I love my staff and I have no announcement to make about myself. Coaching this team has become part of my life and one day (my retirement) is going to happen – but I am not ready to make that call today.”
Thurman Bell finished his 42nd season as head coach at Roseburg High last fall. He is currently the second all-time winningest coach in Oregon high school history with 317 wins. His record is 317-134-1.
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