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Santa Fe High head coach David Church, holding his son and the 1979 state championship trophy, celebrates with the Demons after their victory over Albuquerque’s Eldorado. Santa Fe High won 19-15.
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Santa Fe High football coach David Church, circa 1979. New Mexican file photo
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Frank Lucero, left, and brother Jose Lucero, right, display their state championship rings alongside former Santa Fe High football coach David Church in 2019 for a 40th anniversary gathering to commemorate the team’s 1979 title.
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The architect of one of the most beloved teams in Santa Fe sports history has died.
David Church, who led Santa Fe High to the 1979 Class AAAA — then the big school division — state championship with a win over Eldorado and future NFL quarterback Jim Everett at UNM’s University Stadium, died Thursday at his home in Ooltewah, Tenn. He was 82.
“Coach had such a big influence on my life, and it just wasn’t with the things he did when I was playing for him,” said Frank Lucero, a running back and free safety on that championship team. “There are all kinds of life lessons he instilled on me, lessons I still use today. He taught all of us that the work you do today will play dividends when you need them later.”