Bittner Is Back for More

He’s in his 36th year as a football coach of Moorpark College—32 years as the head coach—but Jim Bittner is showing no signs of slowing down.

The 76-year-old is ready for another season of Raider football, and he is excited about this year’s team after finishing 7-4 last year and winning the Western State Conference Bowl. 

One thing Bittner knows for sure is, this will not be his last season.

“Honestly, I enjoy coaching enough to lose money on it because I could probably make more money if I retired,” Bittner said with a smile. “I’ll coach for at least a couple of more years, but eventually, my wife is going to say, ‘Hey, enough is enough.’ ”

Bittner is a good draw. There are 95 players signed up, and about 60 have been participating in a summer conditioning class in preparation for the first official day of practice on Aug. 13. 

“I think we’ll be pretty good, even though we have a lot of freshmen,” Bittner said. “We’re especially young on the offensive line with just one sophomore and the rest freshmen, but it seems like a pretty good group.”

Some of the top players from last season have gone on to play college football, including record-setting receiver Chris Gant (Hawaii), punter Dalton Botts (Miami) and quarterback Zach Shultis (Cal Lutheran).

Bittner said it’s too soon to figure out which players are going to fit into the starting lineup, but the coach said he will know a lot more once the pads come on.

“I wouldn’t want to comment on any individual players just yet. Let’s wait and see,” Bittner said.

One key to Bittner’s longevity is his ability to delegate. He has made it easier on himself by hiring former players as assistants.

“Since most are my former players, they know what I want done,” Bittner said. “I used to be the head coach and a position coach, too, but not anymore. I’m just the head coach, and I mainly point out what they’re doing wrong.”

The season begins Sept. 3, and the opener is a good one—a home game against county rival Ventura College. The Raiders look to avenge a loss to Ventura in last year’s opener.

MOORPARK COLLEGE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

*Home games are in bold