GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Whether you attended Manzanita School or Gridley Schools, many students will remember Coach Juan Jimenez.

Jimenez began coaching in the Oroville area but eventually made his way to Manzanita School and later Gridley Schools in the ‘90s. His coaching specialty focused mostly on basketball and football. At one time, Jimenez says he had a basketball school at Manzanita through Gridley Parks and Recreation and had the honor of coaching Festus Ezeli, who went on to play for the Golden State Warriors.

Since moving away from coaching high school sports, Jimenez has been playing semi-pro football with the Grizzlies out of Chico. The team is part of the Pacific Coast Football League and travels to play other area teams in the league. About his foray into semi-pro sports, Jimenez says, “I actually started coaching. At first, we didn’t have enough offensive linemen, so then I dressed down one game and …I’ve been playing for the last five years!”

Jimenez has enjoyed playing but says he is ready to retire. He donned his pads and jersey for the last time as he took the field with the Grizzlies against the Capital City Fury from Sacramento at Harrison Stadium in Oroville, Saturday, May 1^st. The Grizzlies went in sitting (0-3) for the season. Hopefully, Coach Jimenez can get one more win for the road!