I haven’t had the chance to personally meet Mike Hobbie, but he sounds like a down to earth kinda guy in the few times we’ve spoken over the phone.
Hobbie previously coached football at Roosevelt High in Fresno where in three seasons he compiled an 18-12 record and had no losing seasons in his short time with the Roughriders. He previously coached five seasons at the University of South Florida, serving as the offensive coordinator. The Hobbie genes run deep, as his son Matt played football at the University of Kentucky while also playing baseball professionally after being drafted out of high school by the Cleveland Indians. According to his bio at Roosevelt, Hobbie has 30 years of coaching experience “and is known for rapidly turning around beleaguered programs.”
Sounds like San Marino picked the right guy then to lead a San Marino team that went 3-7 overall and 1-4 in Rio Hondo League play. In fairness, the Titans lost their most explosive weapon in Kwame Do. The 6-foot, 185-pound star running back is expected to comeback with a vengeance after suffering a torn ACL that sidelined him just two games into the season against La Salle. In that game, Do rushed for 223 yards on 12 carries and scored a touchdown before suffering the knee injury five minutes into the third quarter. Do intercepted a pass in the third quarter, tried to break free from a tackle but when he planted his right leg it buckled, landing in an awkward position.
With Do going down so went the Titans’ offensive prowess. Do’s return could mean big things for the Titans, but will he be enough?
Matt Wofford could be the front-runner at quarterback, and the 5-foot-11, 165-pounder may some protection with senior Matt Kanauss anchoring the offensive line at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds.
San Marino has some winnable games against Eagle Rock and La Salle right off the bat, perhaps even Rosemead. But can the trenches hold off Bell Gardens? It gets tough in league with a revamped Temple City line and, of course, the monster that is Monrovia. Still too early to tell if San Marino can come back and compete right away.
