Charlie Landgraf spent two years honing his football coaching acumen under Steve Pine at Central Catholic.
Landgraf parlayed that experience into his first head coaching job at Marist Catholic last season, leading the Spartans to the OSAA Class 4A state championship game before returning to Southeast Portland this year to join his former team. He will take over the reins from his instructor.
Central Catholic named Landgraf its football coach Wednesday afternoon. The 28-year-old takes over the reins of the reigning 6A state champions a month after Pyne resigned to take the coaching job at Union.
“I think it's a blessing to be at a school where expectations are so high,” Landgraf said by phone Wednesday night. “That’s a credit to Coach Pine and the standards he set.”
Landgraf's Spartans went 11-2 last season, won the 4A Special District 3 title and advanced to the state finals, where they lost 42-28 to Henry.
Now, he's stepping into one of the top coaching jobs in the state. Pyne took over in 2003 and built Central Catholic into a state power, amassing a 195-54 record in 21 seasons, including a 49-21 win over Tualatin in November and becoming the first 5-0 in OSAA 6A history. He became a head coach who won multiple state championships.
“As a competitor, that's exciting,” Landgraf said. “We will do everything we can to improve our program and create something the school can be proud of. It's a great opportunity. Expectations are very high, but that means we have to work harder.” To do.”
Landgraf was an all-state center as a senior at Jesuit under Ken Potter in 2013, then went to the University of Oregon, where he played for the 2019 Pac-12 and 2020 Rose Bowl champions as a senior. did.
He then joined the Rams staff, coaching the offensive line and serving as the run game coordinator. He won the 6A state championship in 2021 and helped the team reach the semifinals the following season.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Landgraf back to Central Catholic,” Rams athletic director Laura Jaeger said in a press release. “He has the skill, charisma and experience to lead our football program and lead a team focused on fostering moral character and conviction, teamwork, leadership and academic excellence, and athletic success. It continues our long tradition of guaranteeing culture.”
Landgraf will begin his coaching role at Central Catholic on April 8 and will oversee spring training. He will be teaching social studies and physical education/health at the school starting next school year.
Photo credit: Leon Neuschwander
