Former Mater Dei High and Saddleback College quarterback Colt Brennan, who went on to star at the University of Hawaii and played briefly in the NFL, died early Tuesday morning, May 11 at age 37, according to the Orange County Coroner.
Many details about Brennan’s death have not been released, but the coroner reported that Brennan, a resident of Irvine, died at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach.
The cause of death is pending an autopsy, according to a spokesperson for the O.C. Coroner.
In recent years, Brennan had a number of arrests for driving under the influence.
Brennan’s father, Terry Brennan, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that his son had been at a rehabilitation facility in Orange County when he was found unconscious.
“He was doing so well, the spark was back in his eyes, and he was healthy and doing great, and it happened,” Terry Brennan told the newspaper.
Brennan was a finalist for the Heisman Trophy in 2007 and became the all-time leader in the NCAA for touchdown passes.
Mater Dei coach Bruce Rollinson remembered Brennan’s perseverance and smile Tuesday as he looked at a signed photo of in his office that showed Brennan dropping back for a pass at Hawaii.
Rollinson said he always admired that Brennan waited his turn to take the helm as Mater Dei’s starting quarterback, replacing Matt Leinart for his senior season in 2001. Leinart went to star at USC and win the Heisman Trophy before playing in the NFL.
“I respected Colt for not transferring,” Rollinson said. “(His death) is extremely sad news. Obviously, you’re shocked. A lot of ex-players are checking in and texting me. For the Mater Dei football community, it’s very sad. … Colt was such as great kid.”
Rollinson remembered Brennan’s “million dollar” smile and the support he received from his father, especially after a serious car accident in 2010.
“He was always by Colt’s side,” Rollinson said of Terry Brennan. “My prayers go out to Terry and the Brennan family.”
After graduating from Mater Dei, Brennan went to the University of Colorado, but legal issues forced him to leave the school.
He enrolled at Saddleback College for the 2004 season. In his one season there, he completed 68 percent of his passes for 2,532 yards and 23 touchdowns with only four interceptions and was named All-Empire Conference first team.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
This post first appeared on ocregister.com
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