Taking a minute to recognize a legend

He coached for more than 40 years.

The game was as big as it got as a profession, a close second to his family.

On Sept. 9, Frank "Bud" Van Deren enjoyed a home DVD of his family and then shortly after passed away at his home at age 85.

Those who knew Bud spoke of him more highly than themselves.

"He was just a wonderful guy."

"You could ask anyone who ever played for him, he was a guy you never wanted to disappoint."

These words were spoken by Mike Monahan, a Marysville resident who played for Van Deren at Yuba College for two seasons, and then followed him to Humboldt State, where Van Deren coached for 26 years.

Just recently, the Lumberjacks dedicated their first Great Northwest Athletic Conference win to one of their program's building blocks.

"Bud's time as head coach of Humboldt State football will always represent a remarkable era in our program's history," Humboldt State football coach Rob Smith said. "His commitment and dedication to HSU will always be remembered."

As a coach, Van Deren was respected not always for what he said, but always for what he didn't say.

"His demeanor was very low key," Monahan said. "He would never raise his voice, even when he got upset."

That coaching style earned Van Deren just under 100 wins as a head coach for Humboldt. He also coached at Santa Rosa and Yuba College from the late '50s to early '60s.

Bud was inducted into all three of the schools' Athletic Hall of Fames.

"He won wherever he went," said Yuba College athletic director Rod Beilby. "He was really loved and revered by those who knew him and played for him."

And for those who knew Van Deren, his history as a player would almost always come as a surprise.

He starred at defensive and offensive end for Cal in 1947 and 1948 and was named to the All-Coast team both years. In 1983 he was selected to Cal's All-Centennial team as a part of the football team's 100th anniversary.

He was also inducted into Cal's athletic Hall of Fame.

Van Deren was the last player to play all 60 minutes of the Rose Bowl.

He served as the Jacks' head coach from 1966 to 1985. He was honored as league Coach of the Year in 1968, 1975 and 1979.

Perhaps his greatest accomplishment as a head coach came in 1968, when Van Deren led Humboldt State to the West Region Championship. The Jacks' 29-14 win over Fresno State in the Camelia Bowl capped a 10-1 season.

After serving at Humboldt State as an assistant coach in 1962 and 1963, Van Deren was hired in the same capacity at his alma mater in Berkeley. He returned to Humboldt in 1966 to take over the reigns of the Lumberjack's program.

Prior to that, Van Deren coached at Yuba and Santa Rosa.

"He was a great man and great coach," Monahan said.