I read that coach Bob Shaffer was retiring from his head coaching position at Truckee High School and I felt inclined to write this letter.

First, let me say congratulations coach. You took Truckee from a Northern California powerhouse football team to juggernaut status. A record of 174-32 is pretty impressive. Throw in 9 State Titles, 3 Runner Ups, and 14 League Titles in 18 years, and you’ve got a coach who will live in the history books as the greatest to ever coach Truckee High School.

I was lucky enough to be coached by Coach Shaffer all 4 of my years in playing Truckee Football. His first year coaching the J.V. receivers was my first year playing football ever (’93). When I was asked to play Varsity as a sophomore I was lucky enough to have him up there coaching the varsity receivers and defensive backs again (’94) under then head coach, Coach Mac.

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Playing with the big boys was no cake walk in those days but Shaffer made me feel like I belonged there, and by then he was who I turned to for everything when football became my focus. I was a Junior when Coach Shaffer coached his first game as head coach, and unfortunately we both experienced our first State Championship game loss together that year (’95). But I played for coach in his first State Championship win the next year (’96) and it was one of my proudest moments then, and still now.

I’ll never forget walking down the stairs at Surprise Stadium with the stands full, the crowd cheering, and TNT blasting on the loud speakers. It’s one of the best things about being a Truckee Football Player. That, and being coached by coach Shaffer. Thanks Coach, and congratulations.

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Ryan DeMont

Chico, Calif.