He served as a football coach at HCJC for 12 years, from 1960-1971. He was the head football coach from 1964 - 1971. During his time, the Cardinals gained their first taste of national fame.
 

During Baccarini’s tenure as head coach, the HCJC Cardinal players made four bowl bowl appearances. The second year the Cardinals played in California, they defeated Pasadena City College 40-13 and were named the No. 1 team in the nation.
 

In 1965, Baccarini was named the Junior College Coach of the year by the Sports Writers Association. The following year, he was given the same honor by the Dallas Morning News.
 

Baccarini led the Cardinals to four consecutive Texas Junior College Football Association Conference wins. In 1996, he was named to the National Junior College Athletic Association Hall of Fame.

 

His record as a Cardinals coach was 55-27-1.