Mathias steps down as Bear River football coach

Bear River High School will be in search of a new head football coach this offseason, as Tanner Mathias announced Wednesday he is stepping down. Mathias, a Bear River alum, went 19-22 over four seasons, including 8-3 in 2024, the program's best record since 2019. "We're very thankful for the time that Tanner has been here at Bear River. He did a great job here and he's a great coach," Bear River Athletic Director Jeff Bickmore told the Auburn Journal. "We wish him the best. He's loved at Bear River and he's a big part of our community." The decision to step down was not easy for Mathias, who said he is still processing it and working through the emotions. "The admin and I both want everybody to be successful at Bear River and if that means I'm not there for that, then so be it. I want to see Bear River succeed, no matter what it takes," Mathias said. "Currently, I guess, we believe that the right person to do that is not me." Mathias is the third football coach in the Gold Mountain California News Media coverage area to step down this offseason, joining Oakmont's Jake Messina and Woodcreek's Brad Hunkins. For nearly three decades, Bear River was a stalwart in the postseason and had remarkable staying power, but since the COVID pandemic struck, the program that was once synonymous with success has fallen on hard times. The Bruins struggled to get players out and at times were fielding around 30 players. Mathias helped navigate the program through the muddy waters of the pandemic and revived football in Lake of the Pines, bringing participation numbers back into the 40s and directing the program back to the playoffs and reclaiming the coveted River Bowl trophy for the first time since 2015. Mathias grew up around Bear River. His father, Jim, has attended every home game since 1986 and his wife is a Bear River graduate as well. He says the hardest part of not coaching will be leaving the program that shaped him, but he's optimistic that both Bear River and himself will find success. "It's really hard for me to not go to work and see the teachers that I've worked with, the students that I've put time and energy into," Mathias said. "I don't think it's ever an easy decision when a coach steps away at whatever level it is, whether it's his choice, the admin's choice, the school's choices or whoever. It's hard for anybody who coaches any sport that puts in a lot of time and effort and energy into their program and the kids in their community." "It's hard for him because he loves Bear River and it's hard for us because we love Tanner being here," Bickmore said. "We're gonna miss him and we are very thankful for the time he put in here." Mathias, who is finishing his teaching credential, will student teach somewhere next school year and says this is not the end of his coaching career by a long shot. He doesn't know where he will end up, but it won't be long before the former Sierra College standout is on the sideline with a headset molding the next generation of players. "The sun's gonna come up tomorrow for everybody. It might feel like really big news to me today, and maybe it's big news at Bear River today. But you know, new things will come up. New good days will happen," Mathias said. "I'm not done coaching football and I'm not done being around. There's another good day coming." Bickmore said Bear River will open the job to those in the district first before expanding the search if necessary.