Covina coach Darryl Thomas resigns after 15 years, Colts begin process to find replacement…


Coach DT: FIVE league titles, FIVE semifinals

Longtime Covina High School football coach Darryl Thomas has resigned after a successful 15-year run. The school has begun the process to find a replacement.

Thomas, who lives in Upland, cited the desire to spend more time with his family as the reason for his decision. Thomas has two sons and a daughter who are heavily involved in sports. One of Thomas’ sons played on the freshman team this past season at Upland High.

“It was a tough decision,” Thomas said. “The last two weeks, I’ve had a hard time sleeping. I absolutely still love coaching football and I love Covina High School.

“One of our mission statements was to have each kid reach their highest potential, but now it’s time for me to help my own kids reach their highest potential. My kids are all becoming high-school age and it’s time for me to be a dad.”

Thomas, a 1986 graduate of Wilson High School, had an extremely successful run at Covina after taking over in 1997. The Colts won five league titles and reached the semifinals of the playoffs five times under Thomas, who finished with a record of 103-70. Covina made the playoffs in 11 of Thomas’ 15 seasons.

Thomas will remain on as the school’s athletic director. He will be involved in the hiring process for his replacement. Thomas did not rule out a return to coaching at some point, saying that he may even coach at the freshman level in the future because the time requirements aren’t as heavy as the varsity level.

If he did coach again, Thomas said it would be at Covina.

Aram’s take: What can you say about Coach DT? Class act. One of the best coaches in the area. You have to wonder if Covina can stay at this level with Coach DT no longer at the helm. He knew how to handle the type of student/athlete Covina gets very well. We’re gonna miss him.

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