Grand marshal for the 2025 Carmichael Elks July 4th Parade is American River College Football Coach, Jon Osterhout. Known to students as “Coach O,” Osterhout (kneeling, front) pauses for a portrait with student athletes. Photo by Susan Maxwell Skinner

CARMICHAEL, CA (MPG) – Jon Osterhout is not only the grand marshal of the Fourth of July parade but also the American River College head football coach.

Although Coach Osterhout (Coach O) is today a prominent figure in Sacramento, he was not born and raised here.    

Osterhout was born and spent the first five years of his life in Portland, Oregon, before moving to the Bay Area. Living in Palo Alto is where Osterhout fell in love with the game of football. His grandfather took Osterhout to the Miami Dolphins versus San Francisco 49er’s Super Bowl game in 1985 and Osterhout was hooked ever since.      

Going into high school, Osterhout and his family moved up to Roseville where he attended Oakmont High School. There, he was a multi-sport athlete playing baseball and of course football. The passion and drive Osterhout had for football earned him a scholarship to California State University, Sacramento, where he attended and played on the offensive line from 1995 to 1999.               

Osterhout had an illustrious career at the university, being a two-time Big Sky Conference player and being named All-American his senior year. Osterhout met some of his best friends at California State University, Sacramento and also met his wife, who was a volleyball player.

Here is coach Jon Osterhout after summer practice. Photo by Nathan Felix Valencia 

After college, Osterhout signed a free agent contract with, at the time, Washington Redskins, now Washington Commanders, of the National Football League. After being released from the team due to an injury, Osterhout found an opportunity in coaching, which ultimately brought him back to California State University, Sacramento.

Osterhout had two stints at his alum, being a defensive line coach, the first one from 2000 to 2006 and the second from 2008 to 2011. In between the two stints at California State University, Sacramento, Osterhout coached at the University of Nebraska from 2006 to 2008 as a defensive line coach. After his second stint at his alum, Osterhout went to American River College in 2011.There, Osterhout was an assistant head coach and offensive coordinator under head coach Jerry Haflich for three years before taking the helm as head coach in 2014.            

American River College had an undefeated season in 2011 and reached two NorCal Championship games before Osterhout took over. Osterhout picked up right where the program left off and kept running. Maintaining a winning standard as a new head coach is no easy task but Osterhout not only upheld it but exceeded it.

Coach Jon Osterhout instructs the running backs, demonstrating technique and emphasizing the fundamentals. Photo by Nathan Felix Valencia 

The men that helped Osterhout grow into the man he is today laid the foundation for him to take on difficult challenges. Osterhout gives high praise for his old coaches who resembled father figures to him growing up, such as Bob Vukajilovich from Oakmont High School, John Volek from California State University, Sacramento and his former Pop Warner coach Mike Smith.

These are just a few of the men in Osterhout’s life who not only helped him fall in love with the game of football but also with the process of becoming great and being a great teammate. Osterhout refers to all of them as “leaders of men,” a standard he strives to uphold and seeks in those he brings onto his coaching staff.     

“Coaches need to be smart, dependable and both mentally and physically tough so the players can emulate what they see,” said Osterhout. “Most importantly, the coach needs to be a man that the players can connect to and reach out to during difficult times. This will make players give everything they have to the coaches and to the team, resulting in success.”

Coach Jon Osterhout emphasizes key techniques to the offensive line. Photo by Nathan Felix Valencia 

Osterhout has proven this through both overall team success and individual player achievements. Since taking over as head coach in 2014, he has led American River College to nine conference championships. two of which were co-championships, numerous playoff appearances and established the program as a perennial powerhouse in NorCal junior college football.

Under Osterhout’s leadership, American River College consistently ranks among the top junior colleges in California, earning national recognition with Top Ten rankings in 2014 and 2016.

Players such as Cian Slone (North Carolina State), Grayson Barnes (West Virginia University) and Ike Ikegbu (University of California, Davis) are just a few examples of athletes who have gone on to play at a high level in college after being coached by Osterhout at American River College.

Additionally, players such as Jordan Kunaszyk (Cleveland Browns), Jordan Carrell (Dallas Cowboys) and Devontae Booker (Denver Broncos) have reached the National Football League, further exemplifying the impact of Osterhout’s coaching on players’ careers.

“Success is simply a byproduct of everything we do,” said Osterhout.

Osterhout and his coaching staff are helping their players become the best version of themselves to not only help the team but to help them to be on the path of success. However, with the success that Osterhout has had, there has been adversity that he has needed to face and push through. Whether it is with one of his players or even in his own family life. His players as student athletes face adversity everyday whether they are struggling academically, in a relationship, or there is a problem at home.

Coach Jon Osterhout discusses practice strategies with the coaching staff. Photo by Nathan Felix Valencia 

Osterhout and his coaching staff are dedicated to helping players become the best versions of themselves, not just for the success of the team but for personal success.

His student-athletes might encounter adversity every day, whether it’s academic challenges, relationship issues or problems at home.

“The staff and I try to find an avenue to help and provide for them,” said Osterhout.

This approach allows players to see that their coaches care about them, fostering a strong connection and a shared commitment to a common goal. After guiding his players through adversity, Osterhout returns home to his wife and his two children. While sacrificing time away from home for the football team, Osterhout is intentional about the time he spends with his family, ensuring he separates work from home life to make the most of that quality time.

As his coaching career progresses, Osterhout isn’t focused on uncertainty about the future because he’s more dedicated to being fully present where he is. Osterhout’s love for the game of football and passion for coaching remain as strong as ever

“God graces my feet to the ground every single day to pour everything I have into the young men and the organization,” said Osterhout.

Osterhout continues to be a leader of American River College men and their football team.