Todd Beth to Coach Healdsburg High Greyhounds Football

Todd Beth, a former lineman and assistant coach at was tapped as the new this week.

"We are very confident that Mr. Beth will continue to instill the honor, respect, integrity and perseverance that have become synonymous with Healdsburg Football," said Healdsburg High School Principal Chris Vanden Heuvel in making the announcement.

Beth, 37, a manager at his family's service station on Dry Creek Road, said Friday he was "very excited" about the new job.

He said he had his first meeting with the returning team members on Thursday.

"We had 63 kids show up," Beth said. "I think that's a good turnout -- a lot of kids are interested."

Beth, who succeeds retiring head football coach Tom Kirkpatrick, also was a varsity offensive lineman at Mendocino College, San Jose State University and  Sonoma State University, where he was a team captain and All-Conference player.

"Mr. Beth brings a strong football pedigree to our program," Vanden Heuvel said.

In addition to being assistant coach to Kirkpatrick starting in 1998 and playing under Kirkpatrick when he was at HHS, Beth also has a close friendship with the retiring leader, who was known for his many winning seasons.

"Tom met with me and said he would always be available to bend an ear," Beth said Friday. "He's just a great man.

"I enjoyed playing for him, and I enjoyed coaching under him," Beth added. "He laid such a good foundation, that it's going to be easy to pick up and carry it on."

Beth, the father of three girls and two boys with wife Lisa Beth, is active in the Healdsburg community. He has been announcer for the and belongs to several civic groups and service organizations.

He holds a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology.

Beth also served as the head junior varsity coach from 2004 through 2009, coaching many of the Greyhound players who are now graduating high school this June.

"As a coach, Mr. Beth is known for his strong relationships with players and ability to hold them to high expectations, both on and off the field," Vanden Heuvel said. "He has strong Healdsburg ties and he focuses on building character in his student–athletes."

Beth said the first day of regular season football will be Aug. 6. Spring football will run 10 days starting May 9. Currently, the team is following an off-season weight training program, he said.

He said the interested incoming freshman will be able to participate right after graduation in June.

Beth's roots go deep in Healdsburg. His parents, Jerry and Rita Valero, have run the service station at the same location since 1968. Beth has two older brothers: Butch Beth, who lives in Healdsburg; and Jeff Beth, who lives in Windsor.