For the past 10 years, Michael Dunford has served as the Gauls Football team Defensive Coordinator, Head Coach for WSC varsity basketball, as well as Throwing Coach for Webb track, making him a staple of athletics here at Webb. Over his decade of tenure, he has maintained a simple coaching philosophy: dedication to his players.
He started at Webb after a close friend introduced him to the school, sparking his interest in the small communal atmosphere that reminded him of his own alma mater, St. Monica Catholic High School in Santa Monica.
“I have stayed at Webb because I truly enjoy the students and the unique challenges that Webb presents,” Coach Dunford said.
A coach of his caliber naturally develops a strong coaching philosophy, and for Dunford, respect, discipline, effort, teamwork, and resilience form the foundation of his approach.
“Respect for teammates, coaches, refs, and opponents is crucial,” Coach Dunford said. “Effort yields results, and resilience is key to growth.”
“He’s tough and strict but deeply caring,” Jacob Zhang (‘26) said. “He has a huge heart for the game and only wants his players to perform at their absolute best. He’s motivated me not only on the field but also in real life.”
Jacob describes one of his most memorable moments with Coach Dunford occurred during the football banquet this past fall season. Coach expressed his sincere belief in Jacob as a football player yet, also conveyed with heavy emotion that for Jacob to continue exceling as a player, he must also believe in himself. This moment left a lasting impression, reinforcing the confidence and mental toughness Coach Dunford instills in his athletes.
For Dunford, success isn’t solely measured by wins and losses.
“True success is about personal growth, accountability, and teamwork,” Coach Dunford said. “It’s about creating an environment where athletes not only improve their skills but also grow into responsible individuals who apply these lessons in life.”
On game days, Coach likes to follow a unique routine to get in the right mindset.
“I turn up my pregame playlist in my truck, which includes Rage Against the Machine, Fat Meech, BigXthePlug, and Damien Marley,” Coach Dunford said. “I also always say a prayer for the team before the game and chew gum for basketball or sunflower seeds for football.”
A good coach knows how to play in the moment, while also preparing for the future, focusing on the development of all players. Coach Dunford tries to show this practice and his experience in building teams every game he can.
“During the first game, he subbed in all players and let everyone score, making it a contributive effort,” said Jason Wang (‘27), a member of the boys’ varsity basketball team. “He motivates us by envisioning the future and encouraging us to work hard.”
Reflecting on his time at Webb, Coach Dunford values seeing his players succeed.
“Going to the playoffs is always a big moment, but I always find it rewarding when a player I’ve coached is selected for the All-League Team,” Coach Dunford said.
His legacy has already been cemented at Webb as a coach who pushes his athletes to be their best while ensuring they grow into strong men and women who are not afraid to take risks and believe in themselves beyond sports.
“He has helped several young boys and girls become independent and strong members of the community on and off the field and court,” Jacob said.
To many, Coach Dunford is more than just a coach; he is a mentor, a motivator, and a leader who has and will continue to leave a lasting impact on Webb athletics that will be hard to match.
![Maya Chin (‘26) plays Block Blast on her phone during her free block in Stockdale Community Center. Block Blast is a mobile game similar to Tetris and has two game modes. "I think a lot of people play [Block Blast], but I don't know how many people are willing to admit it,” Maya said. “Since I’ve downloaded it and brought it up to other people, I’ve seen them also download and play it. I’ve seen some crazy high scores which are not healthy; they probably spent at least 3 hours trying to get it.”](https://webbcanyonchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_3360-1200x900.jpg)
![On one of the Webb robotics team’s new Skytech Nebula computers is Jake Hui (‘25), engineer of Webb’s 358 Robotics team who is currently improving his team’s robot virtually in a Computer Aided Design application, or CAD. Before the building, the driving, and the victories, comes the prototyping of the robot.
“Right here [on his computer] is where the robot is designed, and I have access to all the parts that I need to try things out,” Jake said.
Technical computer skills as well as an intimate knowledge of how robots work is required to efficiently work in the CAD design space. The skills are well worth the time spent, as it can save hours or even days' worth of time spent on assembly in the real world.
"If there is a piece that we don’t have, 3D print it to see if it's really necessary before making an expensive purchase, as the parts can cost hundreds of dollars,” Jake said.](https://webbcanyonchronicle.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/IMG_2381-1200x900.png)
