Dec. 19 was Jay Fishburn’s last day teaching at Tracy High School. Fishburn is transferring to Kimball High School to become the new athletics director. He had been working at Tracy High School for over two decades as a teacher and a football coach.

Fishburn was inspired to take this job because he feels that he is at the point in his career where he has the option to take this job and because he missed being a part of athletics.

“I think I will be good at it,” Fishburn said. “So, you know, it’s time and it’s what’s best for me, and hopefully I’ll be able to impact more kids.”

Fishburn shared that his experience in coaching, the military and teaching is all the same.

“I think the ability to lead, and the ability to teach and train, goes hand in hand with being able to lead,” Fishburn said.

Fishburn gave praise to Matt Shrout, Tracy High School’s athletics director, and Derek Solano, West High School’s athletics director, as a large part of his success.

“We’ve all coached together before,” Fishburn said. “We’ve been friends for a long time.”

Fishburn also shared how he is going to miss the students most when leaving the classroom and shared one of his favorite moments of teaching.

“I like it when you see that light bulb going on,” Fishburn said. “I know teachers say it, but it’s true.”

Fishburn was a great asset to our school, and he will be missed here at Tracy High, but we cannot wait to see what he does over at Kimball High School!