Football: Jim Kunau is hired as new coach at Anaheim Canyon

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Jim Kunau, who built the Orange Lutheran football program into a Southern Section power, has been hired as the new coach at Anaheim Canyon.

He had 13 league championships in 19 years at Orange Lutheran until being replaced after the 2011 season. He has been working at Concordia University. He replaces Brent McKee.

In a statement released by the school, Kunau said, “I am excited for the opportunity to serve at Canyon, which is in the heart of the community where my family and I reside. I believe this is a program with enormous potential that is hungry to pursue excellence.

‘I love the community where we live and look forward to actively contributing to it through our football program at Canyon. I am already blessed to be a part of a great university which impacts lives significantly. To be able to resume my passion for building Champions for Life through football is a special privilege.

‘It is also an honor to follow a coach who demonstrated such determination and strength in sustaining his commitment to his players and coaches while battling cancer. I have already requested of our athletic directors that at the first home game this fall, we pay special tribute to Coach McKee for his service, success, and the extraordinary example of courage he set.”

-- Eric Sondheimer