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Hollister High School has named Thomas Sullivan as the next head varsity football coach of the Haybalers. He previously was the head coach at Watsonville High School from 2006 to 2011 and has been an educational specialist and coach at Hollister High since 2016.
“As the varsity head coach of the Hollister Haybalers, I look forward to teaching, mentoring, and developing student-athletes and coaches that have character, are effective communicators, and are driven to succeed,” said Coach Sullivan, who for the past two years has been head coach of the Baler JV football team. “Hollister High School football has a longstanding tradition of competing and winning at the highest levels. We expect to continue that legacy in respect and gratitude for the legendary coaches and players that helped to forge our history.”
Hollister High School Principal Kevin Medeiros said the school “is thrilled to have Coach Sullivan step into this leadership role. He brings not only a wealth of football knowledge and experience, but also a deep commitment to the development of our student-athletes as young men of character and discipline. His leadership will be instrumental in shaping the future of our football program.”
Principal Medeiros added that Coach Sullivan’s “vision and dedication will uphold the strong tradition of Baler football. His ability to mentor, inspire, and lead will serve our students, our school, and our community well. We look forward to seeing the team grow under his guidance.”
Coach Sullivan’s football resume dates back to 2002, when he was hired as the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Watsonville High’s junior varsity team. He later served as the assistant head coach of the freshman team and was JV head coach before being promoted to assistant head varsity coach in 2006. The next season, Coach Sullivan was hired as varsity head coach for the Wildcatz.
His varsity tenure included a Monterey Bay League championship in 2009, when he was named the Santa Cruz County Coach of the Year and the Monterey Bay League Coach of the Year. In 2011, Coach Sullivan stepped away from coaching to pursue a teaching credential. Having taught P.E. from 2004 to 2007, he moved into special education in the mild-to-moderate program from 2008 to 2016, when he was hired by the San Benito High School District as an educational specialist and assistant varsity football coach, focusing on the offensive and defensive lines.
In 2018, Coach Sullivan was promoted to special teams coordinator and he also coached the Baler defensive line. During the Covid-shortened season of 2020, he began coaching tight ends, assisted with the lines, and continued as special teams coordinator through 2022.
“Our philosophy of ‘Prepare to Win’ will be our guiding compass as our players and staff prepare to overcome any challenge in our path,” Coach Sullivan said of his approach with the varsity team. “We will compete in the classroom to be the best students we can be, we will compete on the field to make our school and community proud, and we will be ‘prepared to win’ later in life. One of the most important lessons I have learned since I came to Hollister is that you have to teach your student-athletes how to learn. Each individual student-athlete has different gifts and challenges; it is our job as educators/coaches to develop their ability to absorb information, adapt, and respond quickly in the most efficient way. Hollister High School and the community hold our football program in high regards and it will be my duty to continue to build this rich history.”
Hollister High School Athletic Director Tod Thatcher said, “Hollister Athletics and Baler football are very fortunate to be able to hire from within to fill our head football coach position. The expectations for Baler football at our school and in our community are very high. I know that Coach Sullivan is ready to get to work immediately in the weight room with the players and to assemble the coaching staff for all three levels. Coach Sullivan is a man of high character and integrity and provides continuity for our program. I look forward to working alongside Coach Sullivan as we enter this next phase of Baler football.”
Coach Sullivan shared that his “deepest gratitude goes out to all the players and coaches that I have had the privilege of working with,” noting that they “have taught me so much along the way.” He also thanked the school administration “for recognizing my vision and ability to lead” and his wife, Andrea, his children and grandchild “for always supporting me.”