Rick Curtis grew up in Mission Viejo, California and graduated from Mission Viejo High School. After high school Rick earned his bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Cal State Fullerton and his teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. Rick earned his master's degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University.

While at Cal State Fullerton, Rick began his coaching career at Servite High School in Anaheim, California. After receiving his teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine Rick began his teaching career in the Irvine Unified School District at University High School. Rick taught Accounting, Business Management, and Marketing during his teaching assignments. Rick was the head football coach at University high school for 5 years before moving over to Irvine High School. While at Irvine High School, Rick became the athletic director and coached football, basketball, track, softball, and golf during his tenure at Irvine. As the defensive coordinator for the football team Irvine gained CIF championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

After 14 years at Irvine High School, Rick opened Northwood High School as its athletic director and head football coach in 1999. Rick received the NFL's Coach of the Week award in October of 2000 and was a recipient of the CIF Southern Section's Pursuing Victory with Honor in 2001. Rick and his football coaching staff were named to coach in the 2004 South Orange County All-Star game and he led his team to a 22 – 8 victory in the annual Orange County classic. In 2005 Rick led his Northwood football team to the CIF finals.

Rick and his lovely wife Mary live in Irvine and are the proud parents of seven children and four grandchildren.