Amador Valley tabs Duncan Burgermeister as new football coach

PLEASANTON — Amador Valley has found its next football coach. 

The Pleasanton school is elevating offensive line coach and offensive coordinator Duncan Burgermeister as the school’s next football coach. Burgermeister replaces Danny Jones, who announced his plan to step down midway through this past season.

“Being able to be the head coach on the varsity team was something I never envisioned when I started down this road,” Burgermeister told the Bay Area News Group on Saturday. “Obviously, I’m going to miss Danny and working with him because we’ve been together that whole time. But hopefully I can follow in his footsteps and follow up on his work.” 

Burgermeister started as Amador Valley’s freshman coach in 2016 and worked his way up to the varsity team. He was Jones’ first hire and helped Amador Valley win a North Coast Section Division I and a NorCal Division 3-AA title in 2024. 

The Dons have had a prolific offense with Burgermeister on staff, producing players such as Auburn quarterback Tristan Tia, Idaho State commit Anthony Harrington and running back Vincent Maiorana – the reigning East Bay Athletic League offensive player of the year. 

Burgermeister said he envisions using the same offensive philosophy that has given the Dons success over the past few seasons. 

“I’m gonna run the ball, obviously, as a former O-line coach, that’s kind of built in me to be physical and dominate the line of scrimmage,” Burgermeister said. 

Burgermeister has a deep background coaching in the Pleasanton Junior Football League. Coaches in the East Bay have credited Burgermeister for his ability to develop young players.

“Big hire for (Amador Valley) football,” former Monte Vista coach Johnny Millard said in an X post. “Coach (Burgermeister) is a top-notch human being, and a well known positive impact within the Pleasanton/east bay community, helping build the PJFL. Fired up for Amador and know the great culture (Danny Jones) built will continue on.”

For Burgermeister, continuing the culture set by Jones in the last couple of years is his priority. The Dons have been perennial league contenders since moving up to the EBAL Mountain Division in 2022. 

“We haven’t always been at this level and been able to compete with the big boys, and the fact that we can play against Cal and Monte Vista and San Ramon Valley every once in a while now is a neat thing and just a cool thing to be a part of,” Burgermeister said.