UPDATED: South El Monte football coaching staff shake-up!!!

South El Monte offensive coordinator Jerry Urias was fired by the school just before Christmas break. Urias had been with the Eagles for four seasons, including the most successful campaign in school history in 2005. Although, controversial at times, Urias was considered one of the top assistants in the area and a major reason for the Eagles’ recent turnaround. South El Monte reached the semifinals of the CIF-SS Division VII playoffs in 2005 and finished in a three-way tie for the Mission Valley League championship in 2006.

Eagles head coach Erick Escamilla is fearful that Urias’ firing will lead to other assistant coaches leaving in protest. Even Escamilla’s own situation is somewhat up in the air, but the 10th year coach said he will likely return.

Urias was an off-campus coach, who graduated from El Monte and played defensive back collegiately at PCC and Temple. He also played in the CFL with Hamilton. He currently also coaches defensive backs at Compton College.

South El Monte should be one of the better teams in the area next season with several key contributors returning, including wide receiver Tommy Cogburn and quarterback Jose Garay.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: I spoke with Coach Urias and SEM principal Silvia Montero on Wednesday. Montero wouldn’t comment. Urias did. There will be an article in the Tribune about the firing on Thursday.

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Who’d have thunk it?


As part of the NFL’s recent equality act, there must be at least one Armenian interviewed each off-season.

Who knew? AJ Pasalo thought he was listening to USC’s offensive coordinator. Aram Tolegian thought he was listening to BYU’s former QB. Michael Johnson thought he was listening to some guy who might be knocking at his door sometime soon to see if he wanted to play for him. In the end, at that glorious early December gathering called the CIF Football Championship Press Luncheon, we were all listening to the Raiders’ next head coach. Steve Sarkisian has gone from co-goat of the UCLA loss to first person interviewed for the Oakland Raiders head coach vacancy in a month’s time. Nice!

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All-league lists …

I’ve turned over the three that I have – Miramonte, San Antonio and Valle Vista to sports editor Doug Spoon. We should have them typed up and ready to run soon. Hopefully, that answers the question many of you have been asking. When I know for certain what day they’ll run, I’ll post it for all you non-subscribers (believers). As for the other leagues I don’t have – Sierra, Montview, Mission Valley, Serra – you can still get them in by having your league secretary fax them to 626 856 2758 “Attn: Aram” or emailing to aram.tolegian@sgvn.com

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I’m gonna be sick …


Dude was all set to go Ian Johnson on his chick, then the Buckeyes stiffed.

… my Buckeyes are getting throttled. My phone won’t stop ringing … you people are all bugging. The Buckeyes are disappearing into obscurity before my very eyes. Like 1 or 2 signees on the Hot 100. Next year’s Big Ten is already set with 1. Michigan (national title game), 2. Wisconsin (Rose Bowl) and 3. Ohio State (Outback!).

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Here’s the thing about girls from Walnut: They’ll ‘Stang you!

There have been many big games played on the turf at Covina District Field. Although most of them have been football, you won’t have to wait until September to see the next big game – it’s on Tuesday night! No, South Hills isn’t going to play Covina in a CIF law-breaking January football game. Nope, we got something better …

Girls Soccer
San Antonio League showdown
Walnut (6-3) vs. South Hills (10-1-3), 5 p.m.

Lorraine Hansen and the ‘Stangs are ready to throw it down with Scott Mocabee’s Huskies. If South Hills wants to be considered “playuhs” they’d better beat The Nut.

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Glendora guard Dominic Tiger-Cortes OUT 4-6 weeks …

… that’s the rest of the regular season to you and me, pal. What a blow. What a tragic season it’s been for Tiger-Cortes – great kid, helluva basketball player – his mom passed away right before the season and now this.

Tiger-Cortes broke his toe in a loss to Gahr on December 30. Glendora’s next game is against Diamond Bar on January 10. It’s the Sierra League opener for both teams. By the way, every team in the Sierra enters league with a winning record.

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