Familiar answer for St. Paul football

Amen “Mateo” I believe ST Paul is going in the right direction, we who “all” in some way are connected to SP, hope and know she (principal) is doing and making the right decisions. My kids go to El Rancho but I have huge family ties with SP that goes back more than 29 years. So go luck Swordsmen.

Just curious... for all of you parents, when will you all stop hating and realize what is best for the kids? the hiring of Marijon will replenish some of the old st paul traditions that have made St Paul Football. As an AMAT alumni, even I can respect that. get over all of this win loss BS and whether that principal is doing her job. She has to make decisions that affect the families and alumni of all who call St Paul their home-not a simple punch in punch out job. You have to admire at least her effort to bring this school back to where it should be.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE SWORDSMEN I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO PLAY BY YOUR SIDES.SORRY I CANT BE JUST KNOW I LOVE ALL OF YOU AND OUR TIME SPENT TOGETHER WAS FUN.I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WISH COACH ANCICH GOOD LUCK. I WISH I COULD PLAY UNDER A COACH AS GREAT AS YOU ARE. GOOD LUCK AND TRAIN HARD

MARKUS VIRAMONTES #32 LB

WHS ALUMNI: I know they did. I am not writing about the players!

"Believe nothing you hear, and only one half that you see."
-1845 Edgar Allen Poe

...Unless you heard it directly from the individual, it's all hearsay... And even still, why would you even post it? It's a moot point. After all, a friend of mine has a friend who has a cousin whose uncle knows someone...

Let it rest already.

Who really thought SP wanted to fill the position with a competent coach who might want real compensation. They want to fill the classrooms at any cost, the classroom with no air and old books. St Paul didn’t interview because they had their plan.

I Heard that a Coach that coached at Division 1 Level in college applied for the head football coach at St. Paul didn't even get a interview.

Listen Way 2 Go SP; you call the coaches 3 stooges but whos going to bring in the money not you. If we don’t do something enrollment, what drop to 400? Anyone can just hate. We got to do something.

Hey sports fan; Why not try and help the football program? Our kids played their hearts out last year.

Ok Whittier alum

I know parents are important. I am one!! You and all those other parents you are mentioning tell me:

Was it better then or now?

Are the student athletes learning more about life skills now or then? (like discipline, hard work, dedication)

The answer is then

Whittier Parent alum:
I heard a little about the racial talk. But how could he make it at Mayfair. He could have plenty to talk racial about there.

I agree there is no room for racial talk.
But, I do not know how he could do so well without having the ability to create "TEAMNESS". I think despite what you said, Fitch had that ability at Whittier and it showed on the football field.

He took an average Whittier team and made it very good to great
Then he took a bad Mayfair team and won CIF 2 or 3 times

It is not talent alone. He must have done something right. Or he is lucky. I would rather be lucky than good

Whittier does not care about the football athletes.

Swordsmen Fan said:

I think it's genius.... with declining enrollment because of the economy why not bring back a legend? Regardless if he is "old school" people know the name He's like a "name brand." MANY people will bring their sons to St. Paul to play for Ancich. He's a living legend and people will be attracted to that. Kudos to Ms. Barr for making tough decisions in a tough economy to do what she has to do for the good of her school. My son is a Swordsmen and the morale of the football team is up 110%..... ATTITUDE makes all the difference when it comes to what can and can't be done. It will all be revealed when the new season starts, so until then STOP HATING.

HEY SWORDSMEN FAN!!! SP SHOULD PRACTICE WHAT THEY PREACH!!! MS. BARR GOOD DECISIONS ARE YOU SERIOUS??? ASKING KIDS TO LEAVE THE SCHOOL BECAUSE SHE IS UNWILLING TO WORK WITH PARENTS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS & CAN'T AFFORD TUITION ANY LONGER, HOLDING TRANSCRIPTS UNTIL MONEY IS BORROWED TO PAY THE TUITION WHICH IS ILLEGAL??? HIRING WITHOUT PROPER INTERVIEWS ALSO ILLEGAL??? THE ONLY THING THAT WILL BE REVEALED IS BY THE ARCHDIOCESE!!! WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND...

Please SP hiring Marijon Ancich as coach is an absolute joke! Just curious was a new golf cart in the contract? And the only thing that may be worse is the staff he hires around him!! Let's see a 100 year old choker in charge of the program, 3 stooges named Chuck, Greg & Matt Willig (Mo, Larry & Curly) following closely behind the cart & Alex Espinoza?? Are you kidding me about Alex? He will be getting more reps in practice than the actual QB's, which leaves me to wonder, SP you all know Alex cant play in the games on Friday night right?? Plus they dont make cutoff jerseys anymore!! And also heard someone asking about Robert Oviedo? I will just leave it as what the heck does he know about football?? Great job all u pathetic alumni & supporters of this deicision you really nailed this one!
P.S. great job in your 3 years here Pete & your staff & no matter what alumni try to say about you guys & how much they hate you, your name will FOREVER be engraved in the books of SP history!!

This is a fact that Coach A just hired Chuck Willig as one of his assistants along with Lou Munoz and possibly Rich Ruiz. I also agree that Olmedo would have been the best fit for SP but I’m happy to see Ancich back. Maybe SP is preparing Willig to take over. With all this suburban league talk, you can’t forget that a SP alum is in that league and at the helm and is also trying to turn around a school. Anthony Wilson is the head coach at Glenn, and yes I know, it’s a tuff school to win at but so was Mayfair back before Fitch. He did pretty good last year for his first year (considering the schools history). He's a great motivator and leader, I wish him the best of luck. Hopefully a miracle can take place and they knock off Mayfair or at least compete in that league and make playoffs. Who knows he might follow in the foot steps of his cousin "Olmedo" and take over at SP. Good luck to all Coaches

Coach Fitch had to leave because of his constant races comments. All the parents were upset to say the least, and I mean all parents like white, brown, black ones, pick a color. He (Fitch) could not progress. Parents are a big deal; we are concern on what our kids learn. Who pays the city taxes? ………………Yes, all of Whittier’s Alums want more success in football or any sport.But animosity towards other races aren’t going to stand

Some SP fans love him, some are not happy. I do not think Coach Ancich will be outcoached on the X's and 0's of football. He still is going to have plenty of time to break down the opponents and plan his "week of practice" to beat that opponent.

To me, the question is who is going to assist Coach Ancich? Will Jimenez work for him if he does not find that desired position. Line Coach Morales probably will. But who else? Quality assistant coaches are very important.

Does anyone know what Oviedo is doing. He did not coach Wilson last year. How about this year. May he teach at Wilson and help Ancich at St. Paul? Or, will he return and coach and teach at Wilson?

He has been coaching a long time and two straight years away from football would be very different for him!

SP
I am talking about a HEAD FOOTBALL COACH

A teaching credential is probably not needed at private schools like St. Paul. I believe the salary for teachers at St. Paul is considerably less than Public school teachers. That is why there are so many non-credentialed teachers at St. Paul and credentialed teachers in public schools. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
If you read the blog on why Dusan Ancich is not a possibility: $$$$$$$$$$$

How many public schools do you know of with a "non-credentialed" teacher as the head football coach. I only know of one === WHITTIER HIGH SCHOOL === and its administration just does not have any idea at all what "winning" can do for a students self esteem. nor does it have any idea of how the "process" of becoming a winner enhances the chances of being successful in other aspects of life. If they did they might try someone else. If change does not bring success, oh well.
At least the administration gave it a try. And they showed that they care about those 150 student athletes participating in one of the best sports ever!!! The coach that is asked to leave will not lose his house over it. Head football coaches in public schools just do not make that much. The money comes with the teaching posiion.
After all it has been about 15 years since Coach Fitch and his staff left for Mayfair. He was not happy at Whittier, probably for reasons that I mentioned.
Maybe people were jealous!
If you cannot be successful within 15 years (never once placing higher than third in league and that has seldomly occurred) it is time to look for a coach that can bring out the best in its student athletes like Coach Fitch did. He left in 1994, Whittier High School winning three straight league titles and losing in the CIF FINALS in his last year.
One big reason he left was some parents complained. Big deal. Look what they had then and have now.
Then he went to Mayfair and turned a real "loser" into CIF champions as did Mazzotta. (I think Fitch has won 2 or 3 there)
The difference, Mazzatta's La Habra is unreal and has been unstoppable. Before this season Mayfair lost three straight opening round CIF games

All those winners of CIF you see in December for football, March for basketball, and June for baseball. If they are Public Schools (almost all of them) they are coached by a credentialed teacher.

Of course there may be 1 or 2 exceptions. But if there is please write it in this blog.

Quote:

"But when you live in La Mirada and your kids grow up playing sports their isnt that what you would expect. I mean their Pop Warner team is a solid program, and they get some of the best kids from Whittier, Norwalk, and other neighboring cities."

The La Mirada Pop Warner program isn't what it used to be. Recent seasons they have not been able produce any Orange Bowl teams, even with some Whittier kids. A lot of "good" coaches have left for other leagues. Also, LM has been enforcing the non-resident rule and have lost many talented kids and coaches.

I agree that La Mirada H.S. is doing some good things in getting back to were it used to be. The La Mirada vs. La Habra game week one will be interesting. Hope it's a beginning of a new crosstown rivalry.

I agree with the sports fan who said La Mirada is turning its football program around. I coach at another high school in the same district and yes the division is a lot weaker. But lets not forget Mayfair has not lost a Suburban league game in 9 years. They are the measuring stick for success in our league. Example they lost inthe Finals last year. And even Norwalk went to the Semi-Finals and they beat La Mirada last year. Granted I was there and saw a few mistakes by La Mirada down the stretch but hey it happens. I do think they will return to being a top porgram. But when you live in La Mirada and your kids grow up playing sports their isnt that what you would expect. I mean their Pop Warner team is a solid program, and they get some of the best kids from Whittier, Norwalk, and other neighboring cities. I believe this year will be a very interesting one. As for Coach Ancich at St. Paul good luck! Everyone is entitled to an opinion however Ms. Barr is the only one who can get the finger pointed at her if they dont turn the program around. So again good luck to all the area high schools this season.

I would like to know why a football coach would have to have a teaching certificate? Some of our class room instructors or teachers haven’t totally received their credentials. Isn’t the football program going to bring in the most money? If we win league and go deep in to the playoffs, enrollment will increase. The whole country is looking for change; we (ST. Paul) can change our pass sins. Like someone has always said just win baby!!!!!!!!

On the inside; coach A is having a hard time finding experience coaches and qualified people who could be on a high school campus. He might have to start with a skeleton crew. And when I mean a bones crew, people who would love to ride on any colt tail are many. The alums are worried. St. Paul we have to at least try to turn the corner.

I am a St Paul alum and here is some info on Coach Olmedo, he was at Redlands High School working for former Swordsmen coach Jim Walker. Redlands is a quality program and produce great young men.

I agree, Coach Olmedo would have been a great choice"

Redlands assistant football coach Miguel Olmedo has received an AFLAC National Assistant Coach of the Year award.

The award, given to top assistants at the high school and college levels, is sponsored by Scholastic Coach and Athletic Director Magazine.

The Terriers assistant was presented with his award Wednesday.

``We nominated him and submitted his record as an assistant coach,'' Terriers football coach Jim Walker said. ``There are so many things he has done for our program.''

In a letter to the award's administrators, Walker praised Olmedo for his success in juggling the duties of father, teacher and coach. He also complimented Olmedo and his wife, Lupe, for organizing the team's Adopt-A-Family Program at Thanksgiving and Christmas, as well as their involvement with the Special Olympics, the Redlands Optimist Games and the Cub Scouts.

Olmedo is coaching high scholl football in Redlands.

Coach Miguel Olmedo. I went to elementary school and high school. He was such a good guy. I bet he would be a positive influence on the maturing football athlete. Years ago I ran into him and (if memory serves me) he was coaching out in Norco/Corona area.

Coach Willig:

where has he coached? which Willig are we speaking about? Just because he is a Willig, what qualifications and coaching experience does he have?

Just asking? I know the Willigs are one of the fnest football families to ever come to St Paul, if not the top. But his name is mentioned often and I was wondering about his past coaching and his resume.

Coach Anchich is the best coach in high school football.

Correction....

Paul Rifino is coaching TE's at La Habra High. Here a link....

http://www.lhhsfootball.com/index_files/CoachingStaff.htm

What do we have to do?
The selection of Ancich is as bad as when ex. Pres. Bush ask ex. Vs. Cheney to find him a vs. President before their administration run 2000. Cheney pick himself, because Halliburton a defense contractor was going to file bankruptcy and Cheney needed a war because he was the CEO of Halliburton. It’s always about money when individuals have no scruples. Well not that bad lol, because we can still send our kids and love ones to a better school. Public schools are the best.

Let's not throw Coach Ancich onto the pile heap just yet. He didn't get this far by just being an average coach. I think you will all make a mistake by writing him off this soon.
I am looking with great anticipation to see who he selects as his assistant coaches. Its here where we should be looking at for the next coach to lead the swordsmen. In think that Coach Ancich is here to groom the next coach who will be in it for the long haul and what better teacher to groom the next successful coach at St. Paul than the most successful coach.

Paul Rifino is coaching WR's and DB's at La Habra High school. This past Championship season was his first season there.

I think 'SPHS Alum' summed it up in a nutshell. I, too, am a former football player who played during Olmedo's tenure. I am thankful for what I learned while playing. It was a kick-ass mentality on the field, and prideful, ethical, and moral teachings and lessons learned off the field. This is what I hope MA can bring back to The Pit and instill into these young student athletes.
How MA was hired and potentially other 'qualified' candidates were overlooked, we'll NEVER know. And at this point it doesn't matter. SP got rid of some trash in Pete and his co-horts, now we need to take the rest out with Marc, the so-called AD, and then perhaps the SP football program can return to its former glory.
Go Swordsmen!

A question for "SPHS Alum"; you make some great points, but are you sure Rifino is an alum and where is he coaching? That comment stood out to me. Just curious!

I've read many of these blog comments on the Coaching at St. Paul.

I believe, after witnessing one St. Paul game in 2007, that the principal and others (I do not think she would put herself out on a limb without support from a few "key" others at St. Paul) wanted a program that all would respect. They want a "classy" program and one like someone mentioned above where they teach more than winning.

Did the varsity football players average GPA go down under Gonzalez?

In The game I witnessed, at close range, I've seen better sportsmanship from coaches. Some of St. Paul's coaches showed very little respect for the oppositions coaching staff.

As a former player for Coach A it's nice to see that he stil has the enthusiasm to continue to coach. Unfortunately, football continues to advance as a sport and he will continue to run 36 and 37 power. I don't blame him for wanting to help the school's program, but the program is beyond help if a principal is not willing to interview candidates for the head coaching position. St. Paul will continue to spiral out of control until they can get a principal that is a St. Paul alum or at least someone who is familiar with the St. Paul traditions. Grant you, Coach A spews St. Paul tradition but the game has past him by. Shame on the administration for not giving Coach Willig the job, not once but twice. They should have hired him the first time around when they gave the job to Gonzalez. Coach Willig probably would have not only won a championship, but would have won two and done it with class and integrity. How about placing some blame on Marc Hernandez, the so-called AD. He has hid behind Laurenzello now continues to hide behind a woman. If anyone knows Marc Hernandez, that is him in a nutshell.
Didn't he hire Gonzalez because they wanted the program to go in a different direction? Now he says the school has hired Coach A because the school wants to go in a different direction. The old "mis-direction" play. Hernandez needs to be held accountable. His friend Pete Gonzalez, a hire under his time as an AD, and a few other questionable hires have not only been terrible hires, but unethically wrong for St. Paul.
Has anyone bothered to think about the St. Paul alums that are currently coaching or has a tremendous amount of coaching? Mazotta, Olmedo, Rifino, Zepeda, Oviedo, and last but not least Willig. Imagine having them on a staff.
The stubborness and ignorance of this school is going to be their own poison. How unfortunate to go from 1200+ students in the 70's to maybe half of that currently. Why? Because they refuse to swallow their pride and do the right thing. Hiring Coach Willig would have developed and re-kindled the alumni interest and also would have had the support of what that family could bring to the table.
As a past football player I am saddened to see the slow demise of a once great school.
They need to put the right people in the right places and get rid of those who don't belong.

change at St. Paul probably will not make a major difference win and loss wise. Because the "other" staff did pretty good. The new staff will probably be more "classy" but it is a question whether they will make the SEMI-FINALS AND WIN IT ALL in three years time.

Look for La Mirada Football to become a "major player" within the next 2 seasons!! WHY? Coach Muschetti and a weaker CIF Division!!

Coach Muschetti has shown to be a great "leader". Not only does Muschetti have the most football playing experience: He led Mt. Sac to great seasons during his days there at QB. Then quarterbacked at the University of Colorado, when I think (not positive) they were a top 20 team.

He signed a pro baseball contract out of La Mirada H.S. then switched to college football.
His quarterback days as a player at LM were at the height of LM's success.

I think he will turn the program as did Mazzotta at La Habra! One difference though; LM had some decent teams recently, continuing to make the Playoffs and keeping that state record at about 28 or 29 straight years making the playoffs. La Mirada's teams under Rush had more talent than they achieved. La Habra teams before Mazzotta were "weak". As for La Mirada recently:

Remember, they were on Charter Oak's 4 yard line in 2006 (CIF 1st Round)with 10 seconds left,threw an interception, and lost 21 to 17. Charter Oak is a powerhouse and Won CIF this year. In 2007 LM lost in the first round to another pretty good team South Hills.

Muschetti's young players are all over that weight room right now building "TEAMNESS" AND STRENGTH,two things that will bring the potential out in the near future. The young off season players are enjoying getting stronger, a key element in strength training = ENJOYING THE PROCESS!

From what I've heard, he is quite a Motivator. Also, throw in Coach Brooks, coach Rudiger, the line coach is back from Mele's teams (when he left in about 2003) LM was not quite as successful as they had been before. And, the talent may have dropped a little at that time also after Rudiger's teams and Hearndons, etc. Lynch is the on staff Co-Head Coach.

La Mirada is definitely not the type of community that would hire a Head Football Coach that was not a teacher at the school!! And Muschetti was still working on getting his teaching credential.

What a joke!
Ancich was on the advisery staff to pick a coach. And guess what? He helped pick himself. Just goes to show where that school is headed. It used to be a place of pride and dignity. All gone. There were over thirty applicants and not one got an interview. I hope the alumni soon realize that the problem here is her. Why not bring in a guy like Willig? I think he has as much ownership as Ancich. Just food for thought. It's real simple for St.Paul opponents, stop the power and you win. Time has passed. St.Paul will be lucky to will one game this year……

CONGRATS to El Rancho's MARCUS GALAN! It's exciting for all us prep sportsfans to see someone get the chance to play at the next level. Your hometown community will be wishing you well as you start your new athletic and academic career.

How do you bloggers know there were no interviews for the SP coaching position? Maybe there were but the principal still decided on Coach A. I'll give her kudos for all the other decisions she is making on our campus.

Also to: Anonymous: when I mentioned prior that I was hoping for a younger coach who's also an alum, I was thinking of Willig, (but mainly just an alum). Not that I know that much about his coaching talents, it's just that I think the school needs people that have a vested interest in it. It's not easy running things when you get zero funds from the state. As a coach, you have a huge impact on the young players and the whole school atmosphere and image. If you're lucky enough to find a coach that has an emotional attachment to the school, the odds go way up that everything he does will be for the betterment of the program and player. (well, that's my theory).

Can u believe it?

Is this the very best that Lori Barr can do? Granted, Coach A has a great history in the sport. But so does Vince Lombardi. I can't believe that this woman would not conduct a single interview. What does that say about her leadership? It's very clear that Coach Gonzales firing was a coup in the making. I'm not saying that I supported his moves but I did like the fact that he won a title. It being the first in 30 years. With that being said, how com Ms.Barr didnt at least interview Chuck Willig? This all sounds very fishy to me. It looks like a pattern to me. Out with the old in with the older.....SP will be the laughing stock of the area and we all have Lori Barr to blame. Come to think of it, if she's so concerned with our school and it's success why doesn't she bring her son and start paying tuition at SP? I know it's less then Loyola and the school needs the kids. Ms. Barr put your money where your mouth is!!!

So the infamous Coach Ancich has taken over.. Well lets clear some things up, rumors are flying right now but here are some facts his sons are entrenched at Villa Park and won't be leaving the money is better there. They have lost several standouts from last year including a sophmore MLB Drake Griffin who started more down the stretch he enrolled a week ago at Long Beach Poly. AS far as getting a bunch of transfers i doubt it. They are having to play catch up right now with all the big boys. Unfortunately in the economy the way it is kids are leaving private schools. Oh yeah I hear the principals son is going to leave Loyola and transfer to St. Paul. Again that is jst a rumor.

Mr/Ms.Loyola,
As a public school alumni from East Los, I'm surprised to hear that someone with connections to Loyola would trash not only St.Paul, but the community where the school resides. Aren't you all part of the same system, a Catholic school? Sounds very provincial on your part. Anyhow,my kid attends St.Paul and is getting along quite well, both in academics and athletics. And although things aren't perfect at St. Paul, my wife and I are pleased with the school. I don't care who the coach is because my kid is in school to get educated and prepared for life. Bytheway, where are the cholos at St Paul because the boys are all dressed in Khaki.

Well, if Mr. "Loyola" is any indication of what kind of person Loyola produces, I'm not so sure he's doing his school any favors. I'm not favoring any school, I'm just observing from the outside. I mean, if I went to his school and knew he was representing the rest of the school with his classless rants, I would want to have a little "chat" for taking MY school down to the "slime" he claims St. Paul is. Ironic, isn't it? He's does make for some great entertainment, though. Come on, who doesn't find it hilarious that he comes on here putting another school down while he takes his school down to the same level with the things he says. He probably never played football to boot. This is great... Show some class...

Congrats to Marcus Galan, good job coach Zepeda getting him signed somewhere, he deserved it!!

It’s because you’re stupid SP Class 83! - Say What? ---- “Loyola: After trying to understand what you posted, I am guessing [ your] not an alumni of Loyola. [“To] say the "leased"?????"/ Mr. Stupid you believe that your or any school principal take in account what is written on blogs. Please stupid SP slime, you’re on a no waiting list for season tickets LoL. That ghetto small axx stadium needs development alright, but you stupidest can’t comprehend. And on Swordsmen garner based on posts or articles in the news, that’s the newspapers job. All schools receive ink, slime.

Loyola: After trying to understand what you posted, I am guessing your not an alumni of Loyola. " To say the "leased"?????"

Principal Barr is an asset to the school and did a great job. Coach A has no peers and its obvious how much attention the Swordsmen garner based on all the posts on the football coach hiring. Even the LA Times wrote an article.

I will be sending in my donation to the school development fund and putting my name on the waiting list for season tickets now that Coach A is back.

Yo Roger,

Just heard El Rancho's RB/ DB Marcus Galan has signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Div. 2 Minnesota University at Crookston Golden Eagles.

Wow,,, great job and Congratulations to Marcus.

In the Know...

When you think football you think Anchich!

If thats the case, when you think football, NO THANK YOU SP.

Please this was a terrible move, I'm shocked you didn't even take an interview.

Over the last 10 years before Coach A left St Paul what did he accomplish?

Let me just say I've never played for Ancich, nor did I play football for St. Paul. I didn't even go to St. Paul! But as a resident of the area all my life and a man with better sense, I must say facts are facts.
You can hate Ancich all you want but how do you argue with a state-best win-loss record? And go ahead and argue with the fact St. Paul is now (what used to be called) D3. How long has St. Paul been in that division? How many of Ancich's wins came before they went from D1 to D3? Then look at how many wins came while he coached in D1. How can you sit there and argue those facts? Whatever school you currently go to or went to must not teach common sense!
Servite, Amat, SJ Bosco- worry about playing in over your heads in the PAC-5. There are too many schools in that division for you guys to take out. Heck, with your school's enrollment and being all boy's school (except Amat, of course), you still can't beat those guys. Tesoro hasn't been around long at all and they're a contender already. What's your excuse?

St. Paul is a school that all Catholic schools hope they would just shut it down, that school has always been an embarrassment to all. They have raise gang members to say the leased; they as a private school don’t screen the kids or parents. SP only wants bodies if their Catholic that’s a plus. I’ll ask anyone how long has SP been called the Slime by all Catholic schools and communities. A third world school in a first world country. Let’s all think Ancich, on the advisory staff to pick a coach? The administrators’ lack common sense what are the kids learning?

who is the alumni coach you are thinking of?

Not pleased with the hire of Marijon Ancich.

I was one of those extremely happy to see him replaced a few years back. His plays had become predictable and the football team was on a study decline. (5-5 record is last year) He does not put in the effort to get his players scholarships, although Pete Gonzalez had the same problem. With so many up-and-coming coaches with ties to St. Paul this couldn't have been the best option.

this was all about the money. and all about it from the beginning.

lori barr hired ancich to lure in the alumni for some extra cash. like stated in other posts, when you think st. paul, you think ancich, it's always been like that, will always be like that.

with ancich back, more money will be donated to the school because the alumni LOVE the guy.he's a legend for crying outloud.

will ancich come back and rule the school? ABSOLUTELY.

he's going to come back, bring some transfers in (sometihng gonzales got fired for!), and those transfers and ancich's favorites are going to do whatever they want in the school.

what lori barr just did was hand over the entire school to ancich. she said, "here's the school, here's the football program."

good luck to sphs.

So all of you worry so much about the hire of Marion Ancich .You should worry about why the school worries more about the Field of Dreams than Air Conditioning for the students. If there suppose to be so mighty why did so many good players leave St Paul and became better men and players than at there time at St Paul. It's just football.you should worry about how good of an education there getting.

As a Swordsmen fan, I was hoping for a youthful alumni coach to set a new legacy (hopefully with a passing game as well as defense). All I can say is I heard alot of the players were energized by his team meeting. I'm thinking that this is a transition year and he is grooming someone else to take over (maybe his son or that alumni coach I was hoping for).

some people will never understand. Coach A brings with him so many good things. if all you "adults" out there are worried about only winning then you need to take a long look at what your life is worth. Coach A will win. He's a winner! lets not forget that. but beyond football he provides an environment for his boys to become men. he mandates these boys become accountable for thier actions and take responsiblity, something that was gone for 2 years. he got his reputation for what he did, not who he did. people need to recognize that the school was built upon the things he did. if st.apul didnt have football it would just be called cantwell, or cal, or whittier. if you've never been through what goes on when coach A is running the show then you need to keep your comments to yourself. st. paul made the right decision. people will be coming out to support this school like before. you can defend any offense in Normal 3. you can beat up on the nobody's like recently but you'll also be able to play with the likes of servite, loyola, and amat. st. paul is going in a new direction. the right one. there is no better place for your son to become a man. brotherhood is back and so is tradition things that you can take with you forever along with all your wins. goodluck swordsmen.

OK slime is slime and it has always been slime, what 48 years? So bring back the OS- original slime. AMAT is going to kick the mejesus out of your slime!!!!!! No one wants to go to SP! Maybe you can talk the weak minded ones to enroll. Lancers rule, yes you slime know.

I think it's genius.... with declining enrollment because of the economy why not bring back a legend? Regardless if he is "old school" people know the name. He's like a "name brand." MANY people will bring their sons to St. Paul to play for Ancich. He's a living legend and people will be attracted to that. Kudos to Ms. Barr for making tough decisions in a tough economy to do what she has to do for the good of her school. My son is a Swordsmen and the morale of the football team is up 110%..... ATTITUDE makes all the difference when it comes to what can and can't be done. It will all be revealed when the new season starts, so until then STOP HATING.

Amat brags about owning St.Paul,but what's their record the previous five years, and when was the last time they or Servite won a title? Plus, every school goes through a period of non-winning seasons. So what's the big deal? I really don't care who Ms.Barr selected as football coach. One coach can only do so much. Who he hires to assist him will make the difference in winning or losing. Keep in mind the kids are there first for an education.

Lori, Lori, Lori... you are so predictable. You are so transparent. The sad thing is that applicants really thought they were going to be interviewed.. hahahhahha
Ms Barr believes that students don't know that she is fake. Lori you knew from way back that Marion was your "new direction"... Poor Marion, he'll find out that St Paul is not what he left.
p.s. I hear from inside source. Ms Barr i will give you a little help. returning assistant coach was prohibited from setting foot on campus so why is he returning? Ms Barr & AD thank you for making it easy to take my kids out of the school. And by the way, can Marion have transfers????

I have talked to Many people over at South EM and it seems to be staying in district with a Rosemead Coach and an El Monte Coach- to Be honest I haven't heard Eric Williams name in any Conversations. He may be that old security guard but I think their looking for a teacher. Sorry. Plus after going 2-8 and his Def. giving up an avg. of 34 points it would be a hard sell for someone to give him a job like that!

One step forward, two steps back.
How can a head coaching decision be made without a single interview?
How can a head coach, regardless of history or legacy, be hired without submitting an application?
Why even bother with the process?
Ms. Barr, as great as she is in academic vision, has no idea what she is doing hiring Coach Ancich.
Tactics too old, style out-dated.
I wish the best for SP, but I'm a realist.
Maybe things will look up when Ms. Barr brings her blue-chip-prospect son over to St. Paul.
It's more likely than you think.
And you heard it here first.

Since St. Paul is living in "Fantasy Land" they should call the "Pit" fantasy Island... hopefully we'll get to see tatoo and either Terry Bradshaw or Vince Feragamo as QB.. the 80's Alumni, you have got to be the biggest group of idiots to ever exist. Ancich is a man, not a myth and certainly not a legend. Because of you idiots that ANCIENT creature is coming back to prove what? how he can bring out his 1960's playbook and choke! we've all been there, done that! I change my opinion about "Fantasy Island" they should call it the "Tar PIT"... Ms. Bar is going to be the laughing stock of high school football blogs... couldn't happen to a better person! Go SWORDSMEN....

It is a bittersweet day at St. Paul. Marijon is a great man but not right now for St. Paul. Lori Barrs plan to go in a "new" direction has failed as she goes back to the old. It was time to bring in someone young and fresh to revive the program. She tried to fix something that wasnt broken. St. Paul is the best place for a young man to go especially with Marijon but it will be tough for him this time around. Kids are not ready to become SwordsMEN anymore. Hopefully Coach A will bring that back. Good Luck to St. Paul, such a beloved place and Marijon.

What,
No comments from the ST.Paul faithful, especially the Alumni. Now you all see why Lori Barr is not capable of doing what`s best for this great football school of the past..Oh no, but Lori Barr has the best interest at heart for ST.Paul ya right! I`m sure Marion will attract millions of dollars to the program, but don`t forget he will keep most of it for himself, just like in the past. GOOOOO ST.PAUL

who cares. it was a done deal from the getgo.

I am laughing my butt off on this one. Ms. Barr is something else she doesn't even interview all the applications that took the time to put in for that job but Ms. Barr (ms. almighty) had her mind set to bring back good old Coach A. This is toooo funny.

You mean Gene Vollnogle and Cuccia weren't available? Maybe Marijon is coaching because he needs to add on to his house again.

Guarantee that his 2 sons will go with him so they can take over when he's done. St. Paul will get many transfers this year. He's a legend.

murray
i heard rumors that pioneers d-coordinator eric williams is suppose to take over the vacant head coach job at south el monte, do u know anything about that

St. Paul football is all about tradition and I'm very excited that Ancich will be back to coach SPHS football. I can't wait for the new season!

Great choice.......nobody is better than The Man.

Who is he bringing with him? Anyone know if any of the old staff is staying, a lot of his former assistants and players were on that staff.

This is a step back for St. Paul, Ancich was a great coach in his day but his time has passed, any1 who was around for his last couple years at St. Paul would agree.

Wow is all I can say. No vision whatsoever.

Who cares. They will still choke to Bishop Amat

The man, The myth, The legend comes back to St. Paul Football…. Well boys let’s see if Coach Ancich still has it!
I’m wounding if SPHS will stay with the same defensive scheme as they have in the past, because last season really showed us how young the defense was. But I believe if they run the same formation as last year these kids could be a force.

(Note: Does anyone know the kids name on SP defense MLB#48 or #49? I heard this kid is a playmaker and will be a great leader for next year’s team.)

WIN, LOSE OR TIE… SWORDSMEN TILL WE DIE.

Come on Murray....don't be a pansie. Put the article up online so we can discuss this freely. You are such a "PUTZ!"

I wonder is this about Bob Ladouceur from Concord DLS? Because all records are mean to be broken. And I think the coach from CDLS has a lot more coaching life in him, so sooner or later coach Ancich’s record will not only be passed this year but smashed by Bob Ladouceur in the years that follow. Remember the Concord coach got to the mark to tie it in a lesser amount of years. Or maybe the school couldn't’t get anyone to take the job.

So were going to go backwards. You mean to tell me there isn’t a coach who could come in and lead us in a new direction. This isn’t the change we were hoping for; this is more of the same. Craziness is doing the same thing over and over and then expects a diffident result. I hope it’s only for a year, because there has to be somebody out there.