(born April 4, 1945) is a retired American football coach who is considered one of the most successful coaches in California prep football history.
In a 42-year coaching career, 25 of which were as a head coach, Welch averaged over 10 wins per season and won nine California Interscholastic Federation – Southern Section (CIF-SS) Championships and three state championships.
He also coached 17 CIF-SS Divisional Players of the Year in his career.
His career accomplishments include a 46-game winning streak, a 30-game winning streak, nine CIF sectional titles, including four in a row from 2006 to 2009, a Division 1 California State Championship in 2006 with Canyon High School in Canyon Country, a second California State Championship in 2008 in the Small School Division (IV) with St.
Margaret's Episcopal School and finally a third State Championship with Santa Margarita Catholic High School in 2011 (Division I).
He is 9–1 in CIF-SS Championship games and 3–0 in California State Championship games.