Schools

Longtime Newark Memorial Football Coach Diagnosed With Brain Tumor

Rich Swift, 60, has coached the Newark Memorial Cougars for 35 years.

A longtime Newark Memorial High School football coach has been diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, according to media reports.

Rich Swift, who coached football at Newark Memorial for 35 years, received news of the condition last Tuesday after receiving a CT scan, a close friend told the Bay Area News Group.

Swift, 60, is unable to speak but messages are being read to him, BANG reports.

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According to BANG, Swift is the longest tenured high school football coach in the East Bay.

Since being hired in September 1978, Swift has worked as a coach, teacher and athletic director at Newark Memorial, according to BANG.

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Last season, Swift led Newark Memorial’s Cougars to the Mission Valley Athletic League title match and to the North Coast Section Division II playoffs.

Read the full BANG report here.


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