Cutenese Set to Retire as Pirate Volleyball Coach

But for longtime head coach Chuck Cutenese, the "it" was the closing of a book that spanned nearly four decades in the making and all of "it" hit him like a ton of bricks.

"Losing that match hit me different than it did the team," Cutenese said.  "There was such a great crowd, with both sides going back and forth with chants and everything. It really was an electric atmosphere. When the match was over, I knew that it wasn't just the loss of the season, it was the end of my career and I bee-lined to my office and had a breakdown. I did not believe that our season was going to end that night. Our parents and our crowd were so great. Looking back on that night, I wish we had held hands, walked onto the court and thanked the parents for their support all season. I really wish I had gotten them to the state tournament so they could experience what that is all about.

"When I met with them the following week, I expected to walk into a room of doom and gloom. Instead, the girls were positive and upbeat. I told them that at the end of this season, only one team out of 89 teams in California will win the state championship, but we are the only team that finished 25-1. We can't correct the mistakes we made, but hopefully you can take something from this experience and apply it to next year and the rest of your lives. (Sophomore libero) Kennedy Cutler, who hurt herself last year, said, 'I'm so glad I decided to come back. I'll never regret the decision to come back.' I felt good that they felt good and that will allow me to close the book on this season with a smile on my face."

That smile has rarely left Chuck's face since attending OCC as a student-athlete and helping the Pirates capture the State Championship back in 1987.

As a head coach, Cutenese has found more smiles and success in all three sports he helped guide. From 1993-2006, Cutenese led the OCC men's volleyball program to 234 wins, five Orange Empire Conference titles and a state championship in 1994, taking over a richly successful program from OCC Hall of Fame coach, Bob Wetzel.

"It has been a pleasure working alongside Chuck and watching his teams perform at the highest level year in and year out," current Athletics Director, Jason Kehler, said. "Watching his players grow, not just as athletes but has young adults has been inspiring and watching these athletes return to the Peterson Gym to show love and appreciation for Chuck speaks volumes on the type of legacy he has left here at OCC."

In 1992, Cutenese, took over for another legend, longtime women's head coach and Hall of Famer, Jane Hilgendorf, and for the past 33 years, the women's program has been a beacon of success year in and year out. Over that span, Cutenese helped lead the Pirates to 567 wins, five OEC titles and three state championships, winning the title in 2005, 2006 and 2009.

"Chuck made a bigger impact on me than he probably ever realized," former OCC player, Emily Payne, said. "He taught me how to show up, work hard, and lead with heart. One of the biggest things that stuck with me was how he made us write down our goals before every game. Back then, it felt like part of the routine, but now I realize it shaped the way I live my life. I still set goals for myself today -- big ones, small ones, daily ones -- and it's because he taught me the power of being intentional. The lessons I learned at OCC followed me long after I left, into my career, my relationships, and the way I carry myself. I'm truly grateful for the guidance and support he gave me. Coach Chuck … thanks for all the memories that will last a lifetime."

To complete the coaching trifecta, Cutenese also helped introduce the sport of beach volleyball to the college and over the past 10 seasons, the Pirates have won four OEC titles and advanced to the State Final Four in 2022 and 2023.

"I started coaching the year after I graduated high school," Cutenese said. "I was 18 back then and I'm 61 now. I'm really going to miss going to the gym and coaching. I'm going to ease into retirement and allow myself to miss it. Eventually you won't miss it anymore. I've worn this title as volleyball coach at OCC as a badge of honor. Replacing Jane on the women's side and Bob on the men's side was tough because they were legends around here and I felt the pressure. Losing the identity of being head coach at OCC is going to be hard for me. What else is my identity? This wasn't a 9-to-5 job … you're on call 24/7 for your players and doing things not described in your job description.

"I talk with (former coach and OCC Hall of Famer) Fred Hokanson and he always tells me that it all goes by so very fast. For me this year, I can't believe how fast this season flew by. There was no drama … everyone all got along … and when you're having a good time, you don't want it to end.

"These past few days, driving on campus, memories would pop up," Cutenese said. "Every significant historical moment over the past three decades – 9/11, the O.J. Simpson trial … things like that – I was at OCC when then happened. My mom used to always tell me that whatever job I go after, make sure it's something you love and for me, this never felt like a job for me. This has really been a definition of who I am and making the adjustment away being the women's volleyball coach at OCC will be hard for me. I'm going to have to ease into my retirement."

The success on the volleyball court was just a small fraction of the success Cutenese had at Orange Coast College. From the leadership provided as a longtime coach and mentor to the younger coaches here at OCC, to the thousands of student-athletes, who's lives he forever impacted … Chuck's legacy will remain cemented at this college for generations to come.

Longtime cross country coach, Marco Ochoa, had this to say on Chuck's retirement: "I have been at Orange Coast College for over 20 years now and working with Chuck has always been a pleasure. Chuck has always been a good friend, and in many times, a mentor figure for me whenever I needed some advice. He always showed a passion for his coaching, his team and the athletic department. I always found Chuck to be a sincere person that always likes to play by the rules. I would like to wish Chuck a very happy retirement."

OCC head basketball coach, Steve Spencer, said, "Chuck is a first-ballot hall-of-fame coach. He loves the sport of volleyball to his core. A fierce competitor, he is passionate about instilling in all of his athletes the mental, physical and emotional roadmaps and processes that lead to becoming better versions of themselves in and out of volleyball. He is a HOF teacher, who approaches his other classes in the same way. I was fortunate to see this for the last 24 years. But above all this, Chuck is a better human being. He helped me make the transition to coaching and teaching at OCC. He has been a good friend and colleague, and he will be missed here at OCC."

Now that career is coming to an end, Cutenese has had time to reflect on special people that have come into his life, which have brought waves of emotional memories of events and of people no longer with us.

"I used to meet with (former head coach and OCC Hall of Famer) Jane Hilgendorf every Friday before the school year started and she'd ask me about how that year's team would look," Cutenese said. "When she passed away, I started to think, 'Why did she do that?' and I think it was her way to stay connected with OCC and the volleyball program. As for John (former longtime OCC baseball coach, John Altobelli), he and I always talked about retiring together and now I think about how we never got to have that opportunity making it to that time. I've definitely thought a lot about him over these past several months and I'm sad he and I couldn't retire together, like we planned."

Chuck's legacy from his time at OCC will live on thanks to several former Pirate players who have followed in his footsteps into the coaching profession, as well as several assistant coaches who have been by his side throughout his 33-year head coaching run.

"I learned to not be afraid to allow your assistant coaches to take the lead," Cutenese said. "Early on in my career that would never have happened. My assistants, including my longtime assistant, Adrian Delgado, would teach ME what they wanted to teach and then I'd teach the players. Now – my assistants, Stella Guild and Susie Packard -- they are the ones who will run drills and I assist them. Basically, I had to learn to get out of my own way and it really freed me up. I was always good at coaching the basics … serving and passing and in the middle portion of the practice, the assistants would run what they wanted to run. I think by doing that, the players would respect the assistants more and it truly made it not MY team, but OUR team."

Coaching volleyball was just one facet of Chuck's career at OCC. In addition, he also was a tireless teacher of a myriad of subjects and that variety was definitely the spice of life that kept Cutenese as energetic as he was throughout his time here.

"When I first started, I had to teach all of the volleyball classes … both the men's and women's teams and four sections of volleyball classes," Cutenese recalled. "I went up to (then Athletics Director, Fred Hokanson) and asked him if I could teach anything BUT volleyball. Tennis was my first love, so he moved me to teach tennis. Being able to teach different classes took me out of my comfort zone and kept me from being bored or complacent in the job. Over my time here, I taught badminton, step aerobics, weight training and I recreated curriculums for each of them. Put yourself in a class you're not 100% and that will keep you from being complacent."

Going out with one of his most impressive teams in school history, Cutenese was not only named as the 2025 Orange Empire Conference Coach of the Year, he was also named the 2025 American Volleyball Coaches Association Southwest Region Coach of the Year.

So … beyond the memories, the championships and the many years committed to Orange Coast College, how does Chuck Cutenese want to be remembered?

"When I got hired, we used to use the term, 'Are they a Coaster?' I hope that after all this time, I'm remembered as a Coaster," Cutenese said. "I tried to fit into OCC's philosophy. When you wear our uniform, you represent OCC and I hope I represented OCC well. To my players … I may not have been the best coach you've ever played for, but I was the hardest-working coach you've ever played for."

A Message from Interim Dean of Kinesiology & Athletics, Laura Behr …

On behalf of the Kinesiology and Athletics Department, we extend our heartfelt congratulations on your well-earned retirement. Your dedication and passion for the game have shaped our volleyball program in countless ways for over three decades—your impact will be felt for years to come. Closing out your career with an undefeated regular season heading into the playoffs is an incredible achievement and a true testament to your commitment to excellence. You have inspired your athletes, elevated our college's program, and brought pride to the entire campus community. We will miss your presence on the court, your mentorship, and the energy you brought to every practice and match. As you step into this next chapter, we hope you enjoy the time to rest, celebrate, and savor everything you've worked so hard for.

Thank you for your long-standing commitment to OCC and congratulations!

Story by Tony Altobelli, Orange Coast College