HS FOOT: Eagle Rock expected to name Lopez new coach

It isn't official, but two sources have confirmed Johnny Lopez, former head coach at Marshall of Pasadena, has been appointed head football coach at Eagle Rock, replacing Jerry Chou, who's firing in January sparked dissention among players and fellow students, many of whom have since participated in staged classroom walkouts and civic demonstrations in support of Chou.

Lopez was 1-9 (the win was by forfeit) in his final season at Marshall in 2006, and 2-7 in 2005. It isn't clear if he was a coach last season.

Bell-Jeff coach Raul Aguirre was first offered the job Tuesday but turned it down, saying he decided he wanted to stay at Bell-Jeff.

"Yes, I did turn it down. I think (Eagle Rock) is pretty desperate," Aguirre said. "I didn't really know about all the issues at Eagle Rock, and as a professional, I didn't want to get into a situation like that, My assistants and I want to stay at Bell-Jeff. We've got a good team coming back."

A message has been left for Eagle Rock principal Salvador Velasco, who fired Chou and reportedly hired Lopez.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com