Long Beach City College interim athletic director Randy Totorp has announced that football head coach Mike Reisbig has stepped down from his position effective immediately. Reisbig plans to remain with the college and football program as a faculty member and assistant coach.

"Mike's unwavering dedication, commitment and integrity as a head coach will be missed," said Totorp. "But his experience of the past 21 years with the LBCC football program will continue to make a difference as he remains on the coaching staff as an assistant coach. We are thankful and confident that Mike will continue to contribute as a valuable member of both the kinesiology faculty and football staff.  We are excited that he will help support the new head coach and student-athletes in the football program positively into the coming season and years."

Over five seasons as head coach, Reisbig compiled a 17-34 overall record and was 9-19 in conference games. Prior to taking over the program, he served as an assistant coach at LBCC for 16 seasons. Reisbig was named head coach following the 2007 season after Jerry Jaso stepped down from the position.

"I would like to thank the college for giving me this opportunity," said Reisbig. "This school has done a lot for me but I think I'm a better assistant coach and offensive line coach. I want to go back to that. I think it's time for the program to go in a different direction. I want to be a part of it, I'm excited for it."

During Reisbig's coaching tenure at LBCC, the Vikings won a national championship in 1995, captured six conference championships, and made 11 bowl game appearances. His best season as head coach came in 2011 when Long Beach won the SCFA Central Conference title and earned a spot in the Central Championship Bowl.

"Long Beach City College Athletics is grateful to Mike Reisbig for his high standard of integrity and his dedication to the student athletes," said Connie Sears, LBCC Dean of Student Affairs, Kinesiology, and Athletics. "We all extend our thanks to Mike for the many years of service and support he has given. It has been an honor to work with Mike and I look forward to continuing to do so."

The Vikings are coming off their toughest season in school history in 2012 after going 0-10 due largely in part to playing one of the nation's most difficult schedules.

But to Reisbig, coaching has never always been about wins and losses.

"I am most proud of the fact that we were able to send on so many kids to four-year colleges," he said. "A lot of kids come here looking for a chance and it is extremely satisfying to see them go on to the next level."

Reisbig said he will continue to help move on his 2012 sophomores and hopes to have 80 percent of them transfer out.

According to Totorp, the college plans to fill the head coach position quickly.

MIKE REISBIG YEAR-BY-YEAR RECORD AT LBCC

Season  Overall  Conference
2008      4-6         1-5
2009      3-7         2-4
2010      5-5         2-3
2011      5-6         4-1 *Conference champions
2012      0-10       0-6
Totals    17-34    9-19

Photo by John Fajardo