Rosemead football coach Matt Koffler confirmed that defensive coordinator Anthony White has been fired. Koffler said the team is looking to go in another direction. White becomes the second high profile Mission Valley League assistant coach to be fired this off-season. South El Monte assistant Jerry (Gerry?) Urias was fired prior to Christmas break.
White played running back and defensive back at Rosemead and won the high school Heisman Trophy in 1999. He then played for Urban Meyer at Utah before returning to the SGV to start a career as a coach. He led Rosemead’s freshman team to the Mission Valley League title in 2004, but received some disdain around the league for allegedly running up scores.
White left after that season to be an assistant coach under Wilson’s Robert Oviedo in 2005. He was back at Rosemead this past season after the Panthers lost four assistant coaches during the 2006 off-season. Rosemead’s defense had to replace 10 starters going into the season, but still managed to finish in a three-way tie with Arroyo and South El Monte for the MVL title.

Quick Aram thought: Didn’t I tell you all that this would be a critical off-season in the MVL? I just had a vibe this was coming. The Tribune will have an article about this tomorrow, complete with quotes from White and Koffler.

Arroyo lost to league favorite Mountain View, but bounced back by downing South El Monte.

Friday night thoughts

Damien over Diamond Bar: My boy Big Reg from Time Warner asked me earlier this week what I thought of Damien’s Griffin Ramme. I told him I hadn’t seen him yet, but I did on Friday. What a gritty player. He doesn’t very athletic, or like a scorer, but this kid gets his. Damien impressed me last night. I hadn’t seen Sparty yet this season, but they’re everything I heard – very solid defensiveley and balanced on offense.

Covina girls over San Dimas: It doesn’t appear that the Colts will lose in VVL play this season. Covina star Blaire Egardo didn’t do much last night, but the rest of the team was there to pick her up and play great defense. It’s real simple for San Dimas – No Trotter, No Dice.

Glendora loses again: The Tartans were waxed by Ayala. Things are getting worse. I don’t think this team will rally like last year’s did. Glendora better come with the game of a its life on Wednesday against Damien. Although the Tartans are struggling, that’s still the game of the week. Should be a great environment.

La Puente: Can anyone in the Montview stop the Warriors? Doesn’t look like it. It’s real simple, if you’re taller, you’re better. At least that’s what LP is telling the rest of the league.

Win, no matter what, even if it means pinning a girl.

John “Nuttin Honey” Honell reports it was an amazing environment last night in the “House that Donnie Built” aka West Covina High’s gym. South Hills finally beat West Covina in a very, very close match. Funny thing about the SGV, everytime I turn around there’s another kid ranked No. 1 in the state in his/her weight class. Awesome!

Is there a Sierra League championship in the Brahmas’ future?

You saw this coming if you read the Trib’s boys hoops preview. It wasn’t a memorable issue, but we did warn you about the Brahmas. Anyway, there’s still ocho games left in the Sierra League, but I’d be getting worried if I were Glendora. DB is for real. Ayala is Ayala. Damien is solid, so is Chino Hills. Or, perhaps the Tartans are following last year’s pattern. Diamond Bar has the world on a stick right now, and Glendora is under the gun. By far, this is the best boys hoops league in the area.

Click here to see them.

This is how one of the Top 5 players in college football got taken out of the game. (left ankle)

WARNING TO ALL SGV ATHLETES: Be careful of how you celebrate. You might injure yourself or a member of your team. Learn from Ohio State, please.

PERSONAL NOTE: I’m still sick about this!

He’s healed!: Glendora guard Dominic Tiger-Cortes, who was thought to be out for 4-6 weeks with a broken toe, played Wednesday night. He entered the game in the second quarter and played limited minutes, scoring six points. Evidently, Tartans coach Mike LeDuc was told by a doctor to limit Tiger-Cortes to 2-4 minutes at a time.

Bench clearing brawl, cops respond: I have very limited info about a bench clearing brawl tonight at the Duarte vs. Workman boys hoops game. All I’ve heard is that the cops had to escort Workman out of Duarte HS. If any bloggers want to add some credible info to this, please do so below. I will follow-up on it tomorrow.

Amat linebacker Carlton Fletcher headed to West Point: Bishop Amat linebacker Carlton Fletcher will sign a letter of intent to play at Army next season. Fletcher is reportedly the first Amat football player to attend West Point.

I met Randy: Yep, loyal blogger “Randy” was at Wednesday’s Diamond Bar-Glendora boys hoops game watching his Brahmas get a big road win over the Tartans.