10/08/1946 – 08/14/2025
Most frequently known as “Coach Noji,” Gene Noji passed away at home on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Born in Emmett, Idaho, after the family’s release from the Minidoka concentration camp, the Nojis eventually settled in Los Angeles. Gene was involved with the Tigers Baseball program and went on to play both baseball and football at Dorsey High School. After high school, Gene attended Los Angeles City College and Valley State College (now Cal State Northridge), where he played football and majored in kinesiology with a minor in art (ceramics). Known as the “Bamboo Toe,” Gene was both a kicker and running back for the Matadors. Their team won the Junior Rose Bowl in 1967.
After graduating from college, Coach Noji returned to his alma mater Dorsey High School to coach both baseball and football. In 1974, Gene became an assistant football coach and later the head coach at Long Beach Poly High School. He had the opportunity to mentor and coach many outstanding athletes, several of whom later played in the NFL. After a political upheaval over the eligibility of African American players impacted the championship-bound Poly team in 1979, Gene moved to Orange County to open Woodbridge High School as their first head football coach. The Poly football team went on to win CIF the following year. Gene’s career at Woodbridge High School as both a teacher and a coach spanned 28 years and included one CIF championship (1987) as head coach and another CIF championship (1998) as an assistant coach. At Woodbridge, Gene taught tennis – another love of his.
Gene delighted in staying in touch with his former players – many of whom went on to play college ball and to become coaches. In retirement, Gene enjoyed getting together with former players, retired teachers and friends for short hikes and lunch.
Gene is survived by his wife of 48 years, Audrey Yamagata-Noji; and their son, Randall, who is a football coach at University High School in Irvine.
A Celebration of Life memorial service will be held Saturday, September 6, 2025, 2 p.m. at Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 Studebaker Road, Long Beach.