End of an Era: Coach Rick Caragher Retires From Coaching After 37 Years of Excellence at Poly

After nearly four decades of unwavering dedication, mentorship, and achievement, Coach Rick Caragher is officially hanging up his stopwatch. With 37 years leading Polytechnic School’s Boys and Girls Cross Country teams, and additional stints in track and basketball, Coach Caragher’s retirement from coaching marks the end of one of the most impactful coaching careers in Poly’s history.

Coach Caragher began his journey at Poly as the head coach of the varsity and junior varsity cross country programs, guiding countless student-athletes over the years. His leadership extended to ten years as the head track and field coach, 16 plus years as a varsity basketball assistant, and roles coaching both freshman and frosh-soph basketball teams. His versatility across sports was matched only by his devotion to developing, not just skilled athletes, but grounded and compassionate individuals.

Under Coach Caragher’s stewardship, Poly’s cross-country teams achieved greatness. In 1994, an unranked girls’ team shocked the CIF Southern Section by capturing the title. Just three years later, the Poly girls went wire to wire, claiming the school’s second CIF title. That same historic weekend, Poly’s girls’ cross country, tennis, and volleyball teams each won CIF titles within a 24-hour span—a trifecta of school pride.

In 2009, Coach Caragher coached Wesley DeVoll ’10 to Poly’s only individual State Cross Country Championship. That same year, the boys team earned second at the California State Championships, matching a feat first achieved by the girls team in 1997.

Individual accomplishments under Coach Caragher’s watch were no less impressive. Xian Shively ’18, a standout runner, broke the Prep League XC Championship course record with a 14:54—still the only sub-15-minute time in league history. Shively would go on to be the league’s only sub-4-minute miler in college.

Coach Caragher’s coaching philosophy went beyond race times and win-loss records. “What a joy and thrill to commit with student-athletes to being part of something bigger than ourselves,” he said. “Sports are so special—for those open to growing, it teaches us so much.” 

One story from 2008 illustrates the depth of Coach Caragher’s impact. When Poly’s boys team was on the brink of a CIF championship, two runners discovered their rivals had inadvertently broken a rule by wearing watches during the race. Rather than stay silent, they informed the rival coach, who corrected the issue. Poly would go on to narrowly lose the championship—but win something greater: respect, honor, and a coach’s everlasting pride. “We didn’t want to win that way,” Coach Caragher said. “They chose integrity and sportsmanship over accolades.”

Coach Caragher’s coaching career was shaped by the powerful influence of his own mentors, from junior high to college. He credits coaches like Bob Freethy, Lee Wimberly, and legendary Gregg Popovich—his college coach and a lifelong father figure—for instilling values of hard work, dignity, and leadership.

“I love sports and also teaching, so coaching seemed natural,” Rick shared. “But those men taught me far more than just how to play a game.” And now, his own coaching purpose is “to inspire student-athletes to embrace grit, discover resiliency, give selflessly to others, and to relentlessly seek to live with integrity."

As Coach Caragher steps away, he does so with full confidence in new head coach Farid Hernandez P ’37, a member of Poly’s Technology department for the past 13 years. “He has an admirable hunger to learn, connects very well with the young athletes, and has shown great growth over the years,” Coach Caragher said. “I know he will inspire them to be lifelong fans of running and fitness.” As Coach Caragher’s assistant for the last seven years, Coach Hernandez is excited to take over as Program Head for cross country starting Fall 2025. Coach Hernandez reflects, “It was amazing to coach alongside Rick. He was always a true supporter of my growth as a runner and as a coach.”

Coach Caragher’s gratitude extends widely—to God, to the heads of school and athletic directors who trusted him, to his assistant coaches, and most of all, to the student-athletes and families who made his career so fulfilling. In the aftermath of the recent Altadena fires, Coach Caragher and his wife were deeply touched by the outpouring of support from former runners—proof of the lasting community he helped build.

As he moves into retirement from coaching, Coach Caragher leaves behind not just trophies and records but a legacy of integrity, mentorship, and heartfelt connection. Although Rick will continue his role as Director of PolyGlobal and Upper School faculty in the history department, Poly Athletics—its athletes and generations of families—are better because of him.

Thank you, Coach Caragher. Your finish line may be in sight, but your impact will carry on for miles.