Coaches
Irvine Football prides itself on having some of the best and longest tenured coaches in Orange County.
Tom Ricci
Head Coach
Offensive Coordinator
Thomas McLaurin
Defensive Coordinator
David Done
Offensive Line
Doug Moss
Wide Receivers
Passing Game Coordinator
Ethan Whitsell
Quarterbacks
Gary Renteria
Linebackers
Tony Jaimez
Strength & Conditioning
Mike Smith
Defensive Ends
Tom Ricci
Head Coach / Offensive Coordinator
This is Coach Ricci’s seventh year as head coach of our Vaqueros. Previously he has coached at Orange County schools: Villa Park, Foothill, Katella, Ocean View, Bellflower and most recently at Savanna High School where he finished a two-year stint with a 15-8 record and two CIF births. Coach Ricci is also an alum who graduated from Irvine in 1988 and has coached at Irvine in the mid 90’s and mid 2000’s. He is glad to finally be back home! Coach Ricci’s wife and 3 children are alumni as well.
Thomas McLaurin
Defensive Coordinator
Coach Thomas McLaurin comes to Irvine High School for a 4th season after spending 19 years coaching high school football in the state of Illinois. Coach McLaurin is the father of 4 kids; Kristen, Kayla, Jeremie and Tyler McLaurin. Coach Mclaurin is a graduate of Concordia University Chicago where he was a 3-time first team all-conference defensive player. While there, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Sociology.
Coach Mclaurin’s coaching resume includes time as a Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator and Offensive Coordinator. In his 19 years of coaching, he’s been a part of 9 conference championships and 5 state title appearances.
David Done
Offensive Line
Coach Done is coaching the offensive line this season. This is the 14th season for coach Done at Irvine H.S. His previous experience includes a total of 11 years at Katella H.S. coaching the lines, the QB’s & running backs and as offensive coordinator. Coach Done also coached the offensive line at Fullerton College for 3 years, 4 years at Savanna, as well as Santa Margarita and Marina High Schools. Coach Done has degrees in Political Science and Educational Technology, and is the Social Science department chair and Economics teacher at Gilbert High School. David lives in Lake Forest with his wife Dawn and son Will.
Doug Moss
Receivers & Passing Game Coordinator
This is Coach Moss’s sixth year coaching Wide Receivers and second year as Passing Game Coordinator for the Vaqueros. Coach Moss has over a decade of experience coaching at the youth level both in Pop Warner and Junior All American. He has been volunteering for the Irvine Football program for the last seven years and we were officially able to bring him on as a coach a few seasons ago. Coach Moss and his wife Sandi have four Irvine Vaqueros Alumni, Beck, Drew, Harper and Deacon.
Ethan Whitsell
Quarterbacks
With 15 years of youth and High School coaching experience Coach Ethan Whitsell brings a wealth of knowledge to the Irvine Football coaching staff. His experience includes private training of Quarterbacks in Orange County, founding/operating a Pop Warner Football Program (as President and Head Coach), Head Coaching a HS 7v7 team, and Varsity Level Coordinating (tackle).
Coach Whitsell is excited to be home to coach at his alumni. With elevated performances, improved leadership, and commitment to the pillars of the Irvine football program Coach Whitsell looks to bring more rich successes to the Vaquero football family, for years to come.
Gary Renteria
Linebackers
Coach Gary Renteria is in his second year coaching at his alma mater, Irvine High school. Coach Renteria was an All-State, All-CIF, All-League Runningback and linebacker in his time playing at Irvine high school. Coach Renteria has spent 5 years coaching running backs and linebackers at the freshman level and he has over 10 years combined coaching football and girls basketball in the city of Irvine. He was a three time team MVP, All CIF, 2 time first team all league, and a part of the only father son MVP duo in program history. He is excited to be back home at Irvine High school and looks forward to a great year.
Tony Jaimez
Strength & Conditioning
Coach Jaimez continues as our Strength & Conditioning coach this year. Coach Jaimez attended Santiago Canyon College and George Fox University. Tony received his Associate’s Degree in Kinesiology and Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Human Performance. Coach Jaimez played football for Coach Ricci at Katella High School and also played college football at Santa Ana College and George Fox University. Coach Jaimez has coached Varsity Football for 4 years, the first two years were at Irvine with Coach Ricci and now he is back again for his 5th year coaching as the new Strength and Conditioning Coach here at Irvine.
Mike Smith
Defensive Ends
Coach Smith is a long-time veteran with Irvine Football. Most recently serving as the Head Coach for the Freshman team fo for the last few years. Now he joins the Varsity team as the Defensive Ends Coach.