The Greatest Ever?

Coach Tom Hamilton was a great man who produced great men. Back when the rest of the city was battling integration in the schools in the 70s, Coach Hamilton orchestrated the strengths and talents of the Sirra Madre and westside Pasadena boys into a genuine appretiation for those different then ourselves. I hope one day my boy has a Tom Hamilton somewhere along his life's road.

I am one of the players from the 1974 season at Pasadena High under Tom Hamilton and I can tell you first hand that him and the ENTIRE coaching staff made me who I am today, I played past that year (which was my senior year) and am now a coach with the heart and integrity Tom Hamilton, Gary Griffiths, warren Hassler, Art Large, Lou Underwood and a host of other coaches from that school instilled in me from the time i step foot onto that campus. I too am saddened he was not mentioned in the top 3, let alone the top 5.

I was a student at Arcadia High School in 1974 and played against Tom Hamiltons 1974 team. They were good; no, they were one of the best i'd seen. I must admit, we were out played big time, however; I distinctly remember when all of Pasadena's starters were pulled and Hamilton sent in his second unit that night. Didn't change anything though, they were pulled because Tom Hamilton didn't want to run up the score on a weaker opponent. I will always respect that.

I went on to have a successful college and pro career in football, but I will never forget Tom Hamilton, his character, his class. A model for coaches at the grass root level.

I played in the Turkey Tussle game in 1974 against PHS. It was probably one of the most anticipated meetings of the two teams in the history of the event.
After years of humiliation and loss, coach Lou Underwood was on the verge of what we thought would end the long string of failure against the Bulldogs.....We had Matt Jordan at the helm and Johnny Lynn in the backfield. Over 10000 people came to that game to put it bluntly, we were simply out coached.
PHS scored on the first play from scrimmage when Nicky
Clark broke through the 1 hole and never looked back.
We never stood a chance after that and went on to lose by being shut out. It took a long time to get over that loss, I really wish I had of played for MR Hamilton, the man was a winner!

Hamilton!!!

Hamilton!!!

Are you kidding me? The man had all the talent he ever needed to make a dynasty, as good as any other. His complete lack of desire to help any of his kids that were not blue chippers is well know. I know first hand knowledge of many PHS players meeting with Coach Brownfield after the season for help to market themselves(pre video tape or internet)to out of state or smaller colleges to get a free education and this fact was well known by both PHS and Blair players.

Hamilton hit the golf course as soon as the season was over and would not see him until spring. So don't smear these other coaches by mentioning him in the same breath. Helping kids after the season is just as much about being a coach as Friday nights.

On an other note LaCanada Coach and AD are the worst ever, that class a few years ago with Lavelle Peterson was a joke, they should have won a title.

Tom Hamilton without a doubt. I never met the man but followed his teams in the late 60's thru the middle 70's. The Pacific League was undoubtedly the toughest league to participate in and I watched year after year his teams dismantle it's opponents. Not just physically out playing other teams, it was done with class and it showed that they were well coached and always prepared. I agree with Mr Oberstein's assessment, 1974 team was probably one of the best to take the field in league history. A close second would be 1971 led by the late George Stewart. I would have loved seeing the kids of 74 play the Blair Vikings team of 1969 with Mc Alister Phillips and Johnson........I believe Tom's kids would of stopped the Blair Pair. Tom Hamilton was one of a kind.

Having played for Hitchcock in back in the early championship years I can tell you he and his coaching staff were simply the best. We had immense respect for them, the techniques they taught and the tactician expertise they showed during the games. Even now, years later, it pains me to watch players of great talent who lack in technique.

I'd have to disagree on one aspect of your article. We did not have great players, we had good players that knew what to do and performed like machines. We were also much smaller than all of our opponents. Our starting offensive line probably averaged 170#, yet we dominated defensive linemen that on average weighed 50% more. That said, the toughest football we played was not in the games but in the daily practices. We had the highest scoring offense and the lowest scored against defense. We expected to win 35-7 every week and were typically well ahead when the second string substitutions would begin in second half.

On occasion there would be a great player that would come through every 5 or 6 years, but none in the era I played. A few played at small colleges but in general we were just to small. You should also remember that back then we would win the entire CIF Southern, not just the divisions....and it went on for years.

All that said, I firmly believe it was because of Hitchcock and his coaches. He was also a wonderful man among men who could have moved on to colleges but stayed because he was family man and most concerned with such.

Thanks for the memories. #61

best coach in the valley, goes without saying Tom Hamilton should have been in the top five, all coaches mentioned are great/good, however, all the years mentioned and associated with there success is the same for Tom Hamilton the 46 game winning streak for Temple City, would not play P.H.S. streak would have ended, also during St. Francis years of success again, Tom Hamilton team went into there home field and handled them with ease. You failed to mention a great coach who dealth with neighborhood kids, prior to the moving and transfering to win. The same coach that attended players weddings, funeral etc. you dropped the ball big time, Coach Hamilton is and was the best.

My vote goes to Tom Hamilton. Being a long time sports fan of high school football, I especially remember Tom's 1974 PHS Football team. That team could have compeated with with most division II college teams.
If not for the California tie breaker system that night in east LA stadium where the field had been altered (wet down) to controll the incredible speed that team had, that team would have won the cif title hands down.
Many of those players went on to play in college and the professional level. In all my 79 years, I will never again see such dedicaton and professionalism in coach or team.....I watched in awe as PHS destroyed John muir in the Rose Bowl Turkey Tussle. Nick Clark, Greg Riley, Tony Armstrong, DeleSandro Dean, Dennis Clemons, Mark Williams, Jim Wilkes, Kim Anderson,Doug Taliafero,Jim Makauchi, Kim Brown, Courtney Robinson, Jeff Horton, Darrel Bolton, Marshall Watkins, Steve Duncanson, Greg Devereaux, Kevin Powers, Jim Brown, Richard Pringle, Jeff Hamilton, Gary Guthrie, Mick Segal, Marcus Steverson, Myron Mc clain, Michael Dennis, Dave Barsamian, Eddie Harris, Harold Nelson, and a host of others were the best and all led by the greatest coach in high school footbal sgv.

Ted Oberstein

I would vote for Tom Hamilton for one of the best coaches. I saw him play in High School and at USC. I also watched some of the games he coached at PHS where his teams were winners. But I believe that a great coach should not only be judged by how
many games his teams have won but also by the kind of man he was. And Tom always had integrity. He instilled character into his players for which they can be grateful for the rest of their lives. So although Tom has been dead now for three years, he has not been forgotten by the many people whose lives he touched in and out of football.

Dawg,

Thanks for the compliment, but my analysis is not original. I have had some great mentors along the way.

Local Fan.

Is all gone and in the history books. ALl of my comments are for the bloggers to make an opinion and not make negative judgments. DOnt read into it soo much, just have fun being a fan and enjoy the games. Maybe someday you will appreciate what it takes to coach hs football. Is not about winning, is how much FUN you have when the players win.

Wow, New York, you speak like a true coach and I would hire you in heart beat. You speak the truth.

Dawg

Did I read Dawg's last post correctly-Coach Mooney doesn't get to hire his own lower level coaches. If that's the case, it's even more remarkable what he does year in and year out!

Dawg, sorry you never got enough credit for winning all of those games, but dude you gotta let it go.

If I were a head football coach, I would try to staff my lower levels with guys who are very seasoned and able to instill the type of character that I want my players to have. If the lower level coaches do a great job of building character and developing fundamentals, then the varsity coaches will have an easy time getting things done. At the varsity level, I would have some younger talented guys out of colleges. I would have them with me for at least a few reasons: 1) I would want them close so that I could groom them. 2) They have the energy for varsity football. 3) They are closely tied in with cutting edge techniques, schemes, and training methods.

TC Player;

I will not comment further on Marty's situation at TC. There is a lot more info that you dont know about. I am not trying to prove a point by wishing that TC will fail. I know TC has done great these last 2 seasons and I know that Mooney is a great coach. He may even fit up there with the top 10 within a few years. I just wanted to make it clear that Marty and the staff did not receive the proper recognition and offers to coach @ the Varsity level. My point is; many coaches at the varsity level did not like Marty's coaching ethics and I strongly feel that some coaches felt threatened by the numbers that Marty produced. Ok, Coach Cupp had one good season. But how many others can produce the #'s that Marty did? NONE! People, Fans, and Parents through out the city wished for Marty to coach at the Varsity level. These were wishes that I would hear at barber shops, Live Oak Park, LL baseball parents, and MANY players!!! But, maybe you are right that Mooney's future perspective of TC was going sour. Therefore, changes come into play. I respect Head coaches for their decisions as long as they are ethical.

Anyhow, I am having a BLAST at Monrovia and Coach Garrison remembers my first name since day one. It took Mooney 3 seasons before he knew my first name. Mike once called me Gary and I had to correct him. Anyhow, I am planning on coaching @ Monrovia-Varsity this season and/or help out at the lower levels. Is up to Garrison. And I do plan on coaching at TC in 2008 at the Freshmen level as the head coach. The position was already offered by the A.D. Vanderveer. Unless I get a phone call and an offer from another school near my house between now and then. I would love to coach @ Glendora because my daughter will attend there in 2 years. But then again... you never know what happens in this business. I just love FOOTBALL.

DAWG

Bulldawg,
What's with all the drama? Mooney offered Marty 2 jobs and he said no. Mooney had a change in his vision for the program and went with it. Marty saw things differently and got moved out. It happens. End of story. That's what Head Varsity Coaches should do. It sure seems like things are okay with TC football
since the change and it seems like you want them to fail to prove a point.

I played for Coach Cupp and you in '99. We had it good because our coaches could do what they wanted. Mooney never made us do the same stuff as varsity. It was a hard transition to varsity because of that. Also, most other schools we played pulled up their best 10th graders and TC JV didn't do that.

My cousin plays at TC now and everyone is doing the exact same stuff (Var/JV even practice togehter). Talent is not what it used to be and Mooney has to bring up more 10th graders now too.

Everybody knows varsity doesn't win without quality lower levels, but varsity doesn't win without a quality head coach so give the guy credit for what he's done. His record speaks for itself.

You are doing a good job piling up those lower level championships at Monrovia so it looks like you brought Marty's formula with you. Would Marty coach with you?

Would you go back to TC if you had a chance?

New York;
I have been hearing from everyone how great Manning is and how great the Colts are. Ok, enough... of all the stats, turn-overs, Grossman's 0.0 rating, the Bears are lucky to be in the Superbowl, and that the Colts are favore by 7 points. Ok is GAME time and only the END of the game will we all know who won the 41st SUPERBOWL.

I am just glad that my Bears are there and I am looking forward to a GREAT D-fensive game and to see the Monsters of Midway run away with the ball.

DAH BEARS !!!!!

LC Head football coach and the AD should both retire before they ruin more kids' high school years. They haven't had a D1 football scholarship in their entire career. And Peterson will get one in spite of not because of them. Pathetic.

I can't believe a coach who just goes beyond the call of duty for all the kids in his program isn't coaching in the Superbowl.

I mean this is the same coach that ignored many calls from UCLA for three weeks just because he doens't want to give one of his players a chance.

The recruiting Cord. had to go to La Canada and ask kids their for this players cell phone just to get a hold of him.

Rich's middle name should be "What a Guy" because he is such a wonderful person.

Wow.

W.A.R.

Jim M.

Dawg,

I'm picking the Bears in this one: Defense and a pounding run game. As long as Grossman continues to not turn the ball over, the Bears should be in great shape. The Bears pass rush will be in Mannings face all night. That said, the Colts beat the man, so to speak, last week and are for real. I just hate, though, how Payton Manning always throws off his back foot. The other thing is that I wish Manning would learn to shuffle around in the pocket a little bit more. He should watch film and see how Tom Brady's pocket presence helps his linemen protect him.

Fan,
That guy sounds like a real stud. Is he related to Christian Okoye?

New York;

Bears are going to the Superbowl!!!!!!!!!!! and Grossman is there man. Everyone said the Saints were going to bear DAH BEARS right? Not! Anyhow, I am so happy my Bears are in the final game and bring the Colts.

Oh man, Coach Smith was at the wedding and you did not tell me. :)

Dawg

NY, did you see that 19 year old, Amobi Okoye, from Louisville, might be a first round pick in the NFL draft? He finished school in 3 1/2 years. What a freak of nature.

Yeah, that's the downside of weight classes, but we can't put kids at further risk of injury by lining them up against other kids who are significantly bigger even though they are the same age. It's just too bad that there is no type of football development programs for the bigger kids prior to high school. At least let them feel what it's like to wear shoulder pads and a helmet, hit some sleds and do some conditioning.

NY: my oldest son had that expeience. he played for the Pee Wee TC Rams one year.This was back in the late 80's. He was 8-9 years old. We had to put him on a diet to make weight, otherwise he would have been moved up to the 12 year olds, where he would have gotten killed! so after that we stuck with Soccer.

Anonymous:
One reason I’ve never be a fan of tenure. Once a person has put in their “x� number of years they are no longer held accountable for their actions or lack of actions.
I went to high school with Tom Hoffman and graduated with him at PHS. It’s been fun to watch his career at LCHS for these many years.

New York, Absolutely right!

If I were a local coach, I would spend some time up in Santa Clarita to learn what they are doing so well up there. Monrovia does not even field a Pop Warner / Jr. All American team. Our kids go to Duarte, Arcadia and Kare.

I don't get why more coaches in high school don't take control of the youth programs the way Hart does and other schools in the North Valley do and I guess the way TC used to. LC, Pasadena or Muir, GLendale, TC and so on really should - you would see a huge improvement in our local High School football if they did.

Crazy,
If they were legite linemen they were probably far to heavy for the pop warner weight limits. A lot of us had to play soccer and flag football in the fall growing up. It's really too bad.

I wasn't saying who burned bridges...I was just saying they were burned. I know all the details don't worry.
GO RAMS!!!

Dawg, I agree with you on the importance of the training at the Frosh and JV level brings to the Varsity.
It used to be at one time the Pop Warner system, for instance at TC, ran in concert with the TC Football program. they ran the same formations, plays, etc.
Those days are long gone. The necessity to provide basic fooball fundamentals falls on them. These days most coaches receive players that have never put on pads, case in point two of the most outstanding linemen in the Valley: Soumakian and Jimenez played Soccer instead of Football as youth. I have a picture of both standing side by side on one of the AYSO All Star teams which I coached!
Unfortunately there are some Head coaches that do not provide adequate and competent staff to train their young charges. I am appalled at some of the football stances I see on some varsity players. That would not have happened on the teams I played, albiet in the Stone Age. We were drilled on proper foot placement, squaring shoulders, foot movement, explosion, etc...Blocking and tackling drills, which emphasized basics, were daily and numerous. Heaven forbid anyone arm tackled an opponent, whether in practice or a game. But as mentioned on the great excerpt on Coach Hamilton, playing the game right and fair was more important than winning. Although if you have a well trained, disciplined, physically fit team, your chances of being victorious are great.

Tom S.,
It's is called Tenure and it is next to impossible to get rid of a Head Coach at LC. Next year unfortunately LC football is going to be a complete mess. They may not have enough to field a credible team. Can you imagine what would have happen there last year without Peterson ("the MVP in the area")- they are headed to Hoover and Glendale land and the administration is asleep at the switch - they should all be cleared out - nothing will change unless they do - the AD should have been put out to pasture years ago and now immediately before soccer become that school Fall Sport. It is a shame what has happen to the school. Thank God they have Coach Hoffman in Basketball.

I probably saw two of the best high school highlights and they are only juniors.

TE/DE Damien Holmes 6'4 245 Colton High

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=th8h61QTwZc

Daniel Sorensen 6'3 205 WR/FS Colton High

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJA3upCQ50g

Sick...

W.A.R.

'Dawg,

Grossman is aweful. I just watched him over throw a wide open receiver on a play action pass that would have been good for a three yard TD. Also, I like Lovie Smith's confidence going for the fourth down, but I think he should have taken the field goal (first quarter). As it is, they still got a field goal but also burnt a time out. With their defense, they could win on field goals.

By the way, Coach Smith was at my friend's wedding last spring.

I forgot to mention continually drilling ball security.

Frosh and JV seem to be underrated in a lot of places with respect to the importance of developing fundamental skills and character that will provide a foundation to success on the Varsity football field and, more importantly, the class room. A lot of talented programs are plagued by eligibility and character issues that should be taken care of Freshman year.

Frosh and JV coaches have done their jobs if the players are ready to win at Varsity: eligibile, team-player attitude, cool under pressure, physically developed, know how to block and tackle, etc.

Ram Homer;

I remember that season! I did not forget the 10-0 back to back seasons. Ane dont worry, I did not forget all the names you mentioned. There were many names within the 6 year run at the JV level. Man, JV ran the show for 5 seasons and no one from Rio Hondo came close to match up with us, right?

Regarding Marty, I will not go into detail because you do not know the whole story behind the ordeal. Marty was given the option to either coach the freshmen or assist Mooney as an assistant coach, not even Offense Coordinator. Ok, now that you may have some scoop. Please allow yourself to research further info before saying that Marty burned his bridges. Marty produced one of the greatest seasons, maybe the best JV seasons in the SGV. Shoot, we even beat Los Altos 7-6 that one season. Varsity got crushed 30-0. And Los Altos JV was 9-1 that season, and TC's JV was 10-0..... I personally feel that some coaches felt threatened up in the Varsity level by Marty's success down in JV. I like to see Randy coach JV and see if he takes them back to back 10-0 seasons, NOT!!

End Of Story.

DAWG, GO BEARS!

Bulldawg,
How about the Vinny Lopez, Greg Johnston, Donny Deltiempo, Mike O'Malley, Alex Schwartz, Kevin Hoang (RUDDIGER!!!), Andrew Arceo, Joey Rodriguez team?! WE WERE GREAT!! 10-0 BABY!!!!! I Remember throttling a few teams that year :D

Hitch was amazing, very well deserving of that #1 spot.

Mooney has done a tremendous job as T.C. head coach with less talent than most schools his size.

As far as Marty being the a future head coach, or any coach for that matter...as to my knowledge those bridges have been burned.

The youth programs are ok to certain extent. Some of the kids that play youth football are trying to make the weight in order to play on weekly bases. By the time they reach HS, they are burnt out and just want to hang out with skaters. Not to say that skating is wrong, is just an observation that I have witnessed on several players from the youth era.

The program starts in the 8th grade and the transition to freshmen is where the discipline must be instilled in the players. Freshmen and JV football must be one of the most difficult times on the players who dominate at the varsity level. Unless your name is Desmond Eric Reed.

TC player;

You must give credit to the former lower levels coaches who had produced several Rio Hondo League champs from 1999-2004 (JV., The lower level, specially in JV, is where it al starts!!!! I give credit to Matt with JV for having a great season in 2005, and an average season in 2006. I remember that TC's JV teams use to be 1-9 prior to the 1999 season. I had the honor to coach the LINE in 1999 JV along with Matt @ QB.

As long as TC has great coaches in JV, then Mooney will produce great football players in versity.

I also want to thank the class of 2005 for giving me plaque for taking the RIO Hondo League championship ending in LC by a score of 53-7. I remember that we scored over 50 points on the final 3 games that season. Thanks to Marty, Henry, and Maverick. No other JV team has produced such numbers at TC. Oh, and thank Sushi for running wild that season.

DAWG

As I know little about the LCHS athletic program except what I’ve read on these blog posts and if Wheeler is so disliked by the majority of his players and their parents why haven’t you gone to your AD, administration and school board demanding his resignation and replacement? Why would a coach want to stay on if he has no respect from his players? A little insight please.

Jim M

Thanks for the insight, what a shame. "Leadership" like that is poison in the life of a player.

P. Fin.

Wheeler is the greatest at keeping his job. If you notice no assistant coach is ever with him for more than two years because they figure out he really doesn't know much about how to run a program or develop todays kids. Then Wheeler starts to panic and lets them all go. Watch the current coaches who are with Wheeler right now. If Wheeler comes back in 2008 all of them will be gone and a new group will be invited in.

Wheeler is so afraid of bringing in great coaches he's not letting coaches who played at La Canada and wanted to coach at LC coach, They currently coach the J.V. C.V. team to a 10 - 0 record this year. That's right he turned down coaches who went to the school and wanted to coach there, build up other programs because he doesn't want any accountability. He is a mess.

In fact at the Banquet this year none of the regular football players wanted to get up and say anything nice about their coach so they made the part time kicker talk about the Head Coach. I couldn't stop laughing as Wheeler stood there wondering what was happening. All the studs on the team talked about all the other coaches and Wheeler got the kicker. Hilarious.

The senior class at La Canada loved football and it was thier life until they met Wheeler who turned football into something that none of these kids can relate to.

The problem with this years football team was the 12 seniors knew so much more than Wheeler. The understood football and they loved it. Wheeler doesn't love the game and it's a reflection of how far the program has slipped.

When Randy Boal steps down at the end of this year I give Wheeler the 2007 season and he will be asked to leave after going 0 - 10.

It broke my heart to watch kids I love play for Wheeler this year and I for one am so glad its over.

A football program should make its players better family members, students and football players in that order. This never hahppened at LC.

W.A.R.

Jim M.

As far as TC's team being good at varsity but having a crappy all american program, look at this year's team. I think 4 of our 49 players had played in some form of tackle football program prior to entering high school. What's that tell you? What Mooney does with only a few experienced players is amazing compared to what most other coaches are doing half a roster of experienced players.

Fio Frausto, Blair?

Jim M

Come on coach. If it comes down to what a coach doesn't do then I suspect that Wheeler is a Hall of Famer.

I don't know Wheeler or you for that matter. I do like most of your postings and therefore am inclined to like you. Can you shed any light on how Wheeler manages to stay at LC? Does his style intimidate administration? From your postings I would guess two things: 1) nobody enjoys playing for him 2) he wronged you somewhere along the way.

This thing is fixed. Why isn't Rich Wheeler listed as one of the top five?

With Rich it's not what he does it's what he doesn't do. Should that count?

Jim M.

W.A.R.

Mr. Tom Hamilton was the AD when I attended PHS from 1984-1988. I remember during a practice, he was watching the line on drills. Mr Tom Hamilton walked up to O-line coach Mike Morris and told him that he was doing a great job with us and that we need to work on far shoulder blocks. Just with him being there out on the field, I felt the electricity in the air. He was a man that remembered everybody's name. He had he bulldog walk with all those knee injuries. I changed my vote to Mr. Tom Hamilton.

Coach Gary Griffiths carried on a few of Mr. Tom Hamilton's traits by being a compassion coach and not trying to run up the score against TC and Blair in the 1987-88 season. Even though, he could have done it.

DAWG-PHS 88

Just to note, while back in the day TC had a lot of great atheletes, that is no longer case. their jr. all american program is a joke. Coach Mooney deserves credit for turning those kids who play in that league or don't play at into football players.

To a former coach:
Here are a few more excerpts from the article on Tom Hamilton

When pressed for personal information by newspaper reporters, Hamilton would usually reply: " Don' t write about me, write about the kids ".

He cared nothing about notoriety, publicity or honors. Actually, they embarrassed him.

Although his teams were winners, the outcome of games always seemed secondary to Hamilton. The Pasadena native was a throwback to a bygone era when it truly did matter how you played the game, much more so than whether your team won.

" It' s the end of an era for all of us,' said Griffiths. " He was just the most unforgettable person I' ve ever met. The most principled. I think the thing that sticks most in my mind was his concept of you play by the rules to win. Everything was done the right way. So many other coaches were unscrupulous. He set an example for all of us coaches to follow".

Former Arcadia High School football coach Dick Salter said those qualities endeared Hamilton to his friends and peers in the coaching ranks.

" The coach I respected most was Tom Hamilton,' Salter said. " He had such high integrity. More than anything else he was a great person. He was a person of high character and great motivational skills for his kids

I really think Fred missed the boat on not naming Tom Hamilton as One Of The Greatest Ever

I played for Tom Hamilton and coached with Jim Brownfield for five years.

Tom Hamilton belongs/is in the same league with Jim.
During Tom's era, many future head coaches who served as assistants became high school head coaches including myself.

Tom was a class act. I remember vividly as a player that he would never run up the score on opposing teams but rather allow the reserves to play early and often.
The other coaches you mention are worthy but Tom was a class act.

I played for Tom Hamilton and coached with Jim Brownfield for five years.

Tom Hamilton belongs/is in the same league with Jim.
During Tom's era, many future head coaches who served as assistants became high school head coaches including myself.

Tom was a class act. I remember vividly as a player that he would never run up the score on opposing teams but rather allow the reserves to play early and often.
The other coaches you mention are worthy but Tom was a class act.

No mention of Tom Hamilton, head coach at PHS for 24 years.
Here are a few excerpts from an article I found about him
“The gymnasium at Pasadena High School bears Tom Hamilton' s name, a tribute to his success as the Bulldogs' longtime football coach and athletic director�
" He won just about everything you can win as far as a high school coach. Yet the concept of the football coach is such a minute part (of who he was). He elevated all the standards.
� Hamilton served as head coach at PHS for 24 years. Although his Bulldog teams won more than 100 games and numerous league titles, Hamilton could not recite his record and would not mention any of the many awards bestowed upon him.
Under Hamilton, PHS became a powerhouse in the 1960s. The Bulldogs remained one of the elite programs in the San Gabriel Valley until he retired from coaching after the 1983 season.
Hamilton' s teams enjoyed particular success against crosstown rival Muir in the Turkey Tussle. Hamilton' s teams were 16-7-1 in the Turkey Tussle, including 12-2 from 1962 to 1975. They won nine straight Turkey Tussles from 1967 to 1975, four by shutout. In that span the Bulldogs outscored the Mustangs 218-48.
His PHS teams never won a CIF-Southern Section championship, but the playoffs during Hamilton' s era were much tougher than they are today. There were only four divisions and Pasadena played in the largest. And only league champions qualified for the playoffs during much of Hamilton' s career.
The Bulldogs twice lost in the semifinals of the playoffs, once to Bishop Amat and once to Santa Monica, Griffiths said.
I went to PHS during the Tom Hamilton years and he was very respected

Prep Fan hits the nail on the head by naming Randall Johnson from RHP's 8-man days. I know many will diminish his unmatched success but it is indeed unmatched. No other SGV coach has EVER won as many CIF Championships nor had the winning record that Johnson owns.

Arguable Johnson laid the groundwork for Ken Drain and his staff. The mystery and culture that is RHP football is a product of Randall Johnson. He is a gentle giant that has been quieted by the ravages of Alzheimers.

Coach Drain will probably lead the Kares for some time to come. He will likely be replaced by an assistant with more than 10 years of coaching experience at RHP at the HS level but 20+ of coaching experience spanning back to the days when he was in Middle School at RHP and coaching youngsters in Kare Youth League. I have a lot of respect for Ken Drain and staff and even though I tell them I know more about this game and many of his players they have the wisdom to do things their way.

Matt;

Mooney is a good coach now, but time will only say whether he remains a TC head coach for another 10 years and a CIF championship. TC has always had great atheletes and great lower level coaches along with the Varsity staff, not all. Anyhow, I feel that Mooney will need to stay on a few more years in order to place him with the top 10 SGV coaches.

Who knows, maybe former JV coach Marty Dattola will take over TC. Is a thought.

D.J. Mac was a good coach on the field most of the times. My son played for DJ a few years ago and the stories that he told me were not positive. For example, many potential atheletes were treated like crap and unprofessionally by a DJ. and the atheletes made DJ a winner becuase no one from El Monte wanted to play at the other low winning schools, such as Mnt. View, El Monte, and South El Monte. All of the middle school atheletes transferred to Arroyo just to play football. Thus, leaving no great atheletes at the other El Monte high schools.

ANyhow, I give DJ some credit but not much.

DAWG

How about D.J. MacKinnon at Arroyo H.S..Not to sure on his numbers but I know they weren t bad.I think he was there 25+ years

Hey,
How about Randall Johnson from Rio Hondo Prep? He led the Kares to what...12 championships in 25 years and won 8 of those. His winning percentage is also very high, 76.9%. Even though they played 8-man ball during that stretch, thats an amazing record.

I would have to put Mooney at the top. He always fields competative teams. He has good high school talent and really coaches them up.

Fred, thanks for putting Coach Solari in there. You didn't mention how one of those CIF victories came against current football powerhouse Mater Dei. My Senior Year we dedicated the Field to him. Great Man, Great Coach.

This Golden Knight's vote for #1 goes to:

Jim Brownfield

New York;

If Garrison goes to PHS I am there with him. That would be a challenge. And with challenge comes greatness.

DAWG

Mike Mooney yes.
Jim Bonds no.

I think Maloney should be a bit higher. He routinely did what Gallagher was praised for this year, but Maloney usually had fewer horses. Unfortunately, when Maloney had one great player and three quality players, he would own Monrovia. He was the type of coach would win unless the opposition had great players and made no mistakes. Even then, the odds were in his favor. Then the tandem with Mooney was like Belichek and Weiss (no offense Coach Mooney).

Current coaches: whether or not Monrovia wins a CIF, Garrison deserves a lot of credit for putting the program back on the map. Prior to our first year on Varsity, Monrovia was winless in the RHL for about three or four years. Then we were winless in RHL even Garrison's first year, but we turned it around under Garrison's leadership. I'd be curious to see what Garrison would do at PHS.

Mooney: he may never get the full credit he is capable of. TC really does not have the horsepower to play at the level he is able to coach.

Dawg, TC in the 70's was some mean ass stuff. I remeber some of the games against William Neff High School in La Mirada, a long gone power house. My younger brother played at Neff, they had some battles in the CIF playoffs

Dick Salter was a great

MY PICK: JIM BROWNFIELD.

DAWG

I must give Jim Brownfield a ton of credit for carrying Muir to all of the championships andf wins. I remember as a kid growing up in Pasadena and hearing the Jim Brownfield stories. Wow, thise were some great years during the 70's & 80's.

And congrats to the TC for having the 2nd highest wins in California and second to Concord De La Salle with the #1 record.

I personally know former TC CIF player Marty Dattola and heard all of his CIF war stories from TC in the 1970's.

DAWG

How about Dick Salter from Arcadia?

Ken Davis from Schurr High School. Dominated Mission Valley League play. Did extremely well in the ultra-competative Foothill League, and won a CIF championship in 1980. Not to mention numerous league titles and playoff appearances. All w/ teams that were percieved not to be the 'most talented'.

Fred:
You forgot my favorite the Legendary Lou Steuck!!!! His stint at LS was not as long as some of the other well deserved coaches on your list, but over all he is up here with Hitchcock and Company.