Hey, I know you. You’re that dude who played QB for the Rhein Fire.
New Northview High football coach Jim Arellanes at his previous job.
There’s turnover every year. Some years more than others. But never has there been as much turnover at so many of the Valley’s top football programs as there was this off-season. The circumstances might have been different in each separate case, but the pressure on the new caretakers of these programs is definitely something all have in common.
READERS: I NEED YOUR TAKES ON THESE GUYS.
Here they are …
Here are the newbies …
Jim Arellanes, Northview – The Vikings had better develop some good QBs … that’s all I can say.
Mike O’Shields, Walnut – Don’t expect O’Shields to deviate too far from former coach Jerry Person’s style. Man, I miss Person. And man, O’Shields is walking into a bad situation given the strength of this year’s San Antonio League … meet the boys – WestCo, South Hills and Rowland.
Roddy Layton, Diamond Ranch – Welcome to your first head coaching job. Now figure out a way to beat Farrar, Gano, Oviedo and Podley.
Mark Verti, Bishop Amat – It’s a good thing Verti is young, that way he’ll be able to handle all the pressure without the health problems. I never thought I’d see the day I had to interview a coach younger than I am. And I certainly didn’t think I’d see it at Amat. But the years keep adding up! Anyway, Verti and I know each other. I put down a number of pizzas while watching his UCLA teams.
Craig Snyder, Rowland – Talk about walking into a great situation. But just to be sure, Snyder had better still be wearing the big headset next season.
Ray Hernandez, La Puente – He was part of the greatest prep football coaching staff ever last year at Rosemead. Anyway, first question: How does it feel to have had Rick Ward set the bar of excellence for you?
Readers: Do the math. Walnut was in the semis and championship game recently under Person. Northview made the playoffs under Todd Quinsey in each of his seasons and was a major player every year in the Valle Vista League. Bishop Amat is Bishop Amat. Rowland is in the midst of its revival and it’s well known the Raiders have one of the best senior classes around. Diamond Ranch is now two years removed from winning the Mt. Baldy League, reaching the semis and sending a good number of players onto the next level. You don’t usually see jobs at programs of this caliber open up all in the same year.
Can the names above keep things going? I’m not Pete Yorn, but I want to know!
