Rex Huigens
Huigens began coaching basketball and later assisted in coaching football after he graduated from ULV in 1970.
After attending school and playing football for La Verne, Huigens continued to stay involved with sports. He began coaching basketball and assisting Roland Ortmayer with football at ULV. In 1990, he took over as head coach. In addition to Huigens’ football duties, he is the assistant athletic director, a professor in the Athletics Department and the head coach of the golf team.
While playing football for ULV, Huigens was quarterback and defensive back. He believes in the same philosophy as his predecessor, Ortmayer did, “football should be a part of the experience here at La Verne. Not the biggest, not the smallest, but a part.
“Football should be fun and I believe our players are having fun here at La Verne,” said Huigens.
In 1991, the Leos were 7-2. They were 7-1-1 in 1992 and conference champions in 1993. This year, the team is headed into the Division III playoffs after completing its first undefeated season.
Don Morel
Don Morel has been the offensive coordinator for the Leos for four years.
“When Rex got the job as head coach,”said Morel, “I wanted to come back here and help him try and build a program.”
“I went after him,” said Huigens.
In high school and college here at ULV, Morel played defensive end. After graduation, he began coaching at California State University at Fullerton and ended his time there in 1991, when he came back to ULV to work with Huigens.
Assistant Coaches
Along with Huigens and Morel, the assistant coaches are: Linebackers, Steve Blair (ULV ‘89); Tight Ends, John Yegge (Redlands ‘90); Defensive Assistant, Monse Estrada (ULV ‘73); Wide Receivers, Paul Schulte (Fullerton ‘91); Defensive Line, Rick Gronda (Middlebury ‘93); Defensive Backs, Jim Langley (ULV ‘84); and Running Backs Mike Riggs (ULV ‘85).
—Bridget M. Rohrer
