La Salle High School decided to ultimately stay in-house by naming Antione Peterson new football coach

Question: How do you folks like this move?

By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer
PASADENA – After conducting a search that lasted a little over two weeks, La Salle High School has hired Antoine Peterson as its new head varsity football coach.
Peterson takes over for Ealar Gallagher, who stepped down to take an assistant coaching job at Bishop Amat.
“I really thank God for giving me the ability to coach as well as I do and in helping these young men both on the field and in the classroom,” Peterson said. “Being on campus and watching their growth is just beautiful to see, and I’m just trying to use football as a tool.”
Peterson, 41, a Muir High graduate who played for former Mustangs coach Jim Brownfield and also played at Azusa Pacific University, has been an assistant coach at La Salle for the past nine seasons and has served as the school’s defensive coordinator.
Peterson is also a Physical Education/Health Department chairperson teaching P.E., Health, and Physical Fitness. He is also one the school’s assistant track coaches.
Prior to coming to La Salle, Peterson was an assistant coach at Marshall from 1992 to 1994, and at La Can ada from 1995 to 1998.
“I want to thank my family for their love and support and the administration for believing in me,” Peterson said. “I’d also like to thank my good friend coach Fred Riley, who is the head track coach, and an instrumental part of what I’m trying to do.”
La Salle’s coaching position attracted 35 candidates in just a two-week time frame.
“We had a selection committee that reviewed all the candidates and Antoine stood out in that he had a very good plan for his entire staff here,” La Salle vice principal/athletic director John Matheus said. “We feel he has a tremendous relationship with his players and the kids really wanted him as the head coach.”
The search came down to Peterson’s plans, as well as his relationship with the players. When Matheus announced Peterson as the coach to the players, they all stood to give the new coach a standing ovation.
“We went through the process with the candidates, but he has a good rapport with the students, not only as a coach, but as a teacher as well,” Matheus said. “We’re extremely happy that he applied for the position and the incoming staff that’s coming in to work with coach Peterson. We’re very optimistic in continuing the success that we’ve had with the football program in recent years.
“Coach Peterson exemplifies the philosophy of what La Salle High School is all about.”
Peterson has all of his coaching staff in place on the defense. He’s working on getting the best possible people to surround quarterback Chase Rettig, who Peterson called a “key to what they’re planning on doing.”
“I have several coaches waiting for this opportunity and have a commitment from David Buchanan, who played professionally with the Cincinnati Bengals, and has over 25 years of coaching experience.
“The advantage that I have with him is he’s my step-dad, so it’s like having a co-head coach.”
Buchanan will serve as assistant coach and will be in charge of the running backs. He will also be the team’s strength and conditioning coach.
“I’m trying to bring some type of tradition in here at La Salle,” Peterson said. “I’ve been here since 1999 and my vision is to have a Division I-type player to play at the next level. I want them to have that opportunity.”
La Salle finished 6-6 in 2007 and reached the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.
The Lancers were 8-6 and played for the Mid-Valley Division championship in 2006.