By Robert Haugh
Craig Connelly, the longtime leader of the Santa Clara Lions Pop Warner Football Club, recently died.
He ran the Lions program for more than 40 years. Under his leadership, the team won over 40 division titles, 45 league championships, and made multiple Pop Warner Super Bowl appearances.
Connelly was inducted into the Pop Warner Hall of Fame and the Santa Clara Unified School District Hall of Fame.
Connelly didn’t just build winning teams. He built leaders. Many of the kids he coached, some the children of local elected officials, went on to coach themselves.
At the Lions’ 50th anniversary in 2010, Connelly gave credit to others. “Santa Clara Lions Football Club is the most successful Pop Warner Football program on the West Coast, and I am proud to say it is because of the staff and players in our program today and all the teams and cheer squads over the years.”
In 2009, he received the 49ers’ Perry/Yonamine Unity Award. It honors those who promote unity within their teams and communities. He was also named Coach of the Year by the San Jose Police Athletic League.
Michael Beard, who chose to play for Connelly instead of his high school team, said, “Craig was an amazing person. I really got more out of his coaching than I did from high school.”
Chuck Blair, a longtime Santa Clara youth coach, called Connelly “a passionate advocate whose primary focus was providing the best youth sports programs for Santa Clara kids.”
Connelly graduated from Buchser High School in 1967. He owned Bruno’s Automotive and was known for his “Lion van” and trademark Lion’s mane beard.
He is survived by his wife, Linda.
Santa Clara lost a giant. But his impact will last for generations.
He was a winner, I’ll give him that. I was on his team back in 1976. I do remember he said kind things about my mom after she had a stroke. RIP.
Played for Craig and coached with him as well. A true legend of the game of football. An icon and very important person to the city of Santa Clara, CA.
A man that structures youth of all ages to having discipline, ,a strong mindset, a habit to practicing to get better, the structure to setting of goals, the know how to having pride and always playing with good sportsmanship. All that with teamwork and how to work hard to win. Championships start with coaching and coach Craig Connellys unique way of polishing and providing the pop warner youth football league,”the (Santa Clara Lions)”, a chance with opportunity to being involved with his organization of memories with family in the sport of football. I personally came up playing as a youth for the Santa Clara Lions and then later coaching for them as well. With Coach Craigs guidance in football and in life. With my experience and memories, I was able to becoming a better person from a boy to man. From a player to a father. Fro, a student to a teacher. I personally witnessed many times over the power of his influence that helped connect the city where Im from. His influence is a big deal to many. Not just in the sport of football, but in a connection that his platform and organization helped in building a bond of friendships that continue to flourish today.So many stories with forever lasting memories tha go back decades “No should ofs, Could ofs or Should ofs”, to quote Coach Craig himself. I. One of the ,any life lessons that will never be forgotten. So many Championships won. Too many accolades to name from the resume of accomplishments in the legacy of the one that for over sixty years gave us himself his wisdom and Pride. The COACH, the LEGEND mr. Craig Connelly,
May he Rest in Peace and have a safe journey to the heavens football field in the sky 🙏 God Bless , miss you , love you and forever I am grateful to you. Thank you ,#5 Coach/Player – Jason Hunter Bright
Happy New year 2026 , I’d like to say that Everything you said and shared about the Beautiful Memories you had about Coach Connelly forever stay with you, you are a great son to your Mama & May Craig Connelly Rest in peace 🙏I remember you playing out there at Buchser Middle School for the Lions Football Team,Tell your Mom Leticia I said Hi and Happy New Year 💖
This sad news is tough to swallow.
Heart goes out to his wife and the Lions community.
My boys went thru flag football and tackle under Craig, with most interactions with Linda (e.g., equipment, weigh-ins, etc.). The Santa Clara Lions football program is tough and is a grinder through which young boys learn lessons that elevate them to fine young men.
At Townsend field, with the assistance of Santa Clara Parks & Rec, the Santa Clara Lions established a cultural and a phenomenal program for young men from all walks of life. May the Lions continue to roar for many more years!
“Be part of the Legend.”
So glad he and his wife, Linda, were honored and lit the Christmas Tree a few years back. Rest in Peace, Craig. Thank you for what you did for Pop Warner Football and all the players that benefitted from it!
This is indeed a sad day.
Met Craig on numerous occasions. Always a pleasure, and was always very friendly to myself and everyone else.
I am sure many of his former players will now come forward to share some life changing moments.
This next comment is my own experience. That said, this is not suppose to be about me, but more confirmation just how critical youth coaches are too kids as they grow up.
One Coach in High School changed my life.
As a 14 year old Freshman, my High School Soccer Coach, Rich Brauss was addressing a new group of incoming Freshman.
Thankfully I was able to share with him, as I ran into him almost 45 years after he said it to me. That conversation was a gift to both of us. I could tell he appreciated me telling him the story. And I felt like that conversation was needed to be had.
All he said was, “The harder you work, the luckier you get”.
If you have someone in your life who made a positive difference in your life. Take the time and effort to let them know how important they were to you and your family.
No matter how much money you have or don’t have….just knowing you made a positive difference somewhere, somehow, with someone else, is honestly something that you can not buy in your life.
Lots of stories out there, just don’t wait to let people know how important they were to you.
Trust me, that conversation is great for both parties.
Burt Field
78″ Buchser High
A good guy, fearless, loving and dedicated to kids.
He will be missed and will have a great seat in heaven.