Virgen: New football coach can bring new life at Costa Mesa
This is an exciting time at Costa Mesa High School.
The Mustangs are about to hire a new football coach. This isn’t to say the previous coach, Wally Grant, was a horrible fit.
This is about the opportunity to bring in a new head coach for what is usually the most important sport at a high school.
This particular opportunity is important because there is a new principal, Jake Haley, who is football minded. There is a new sports complex coming. Football can quickly become king at Costa Mesa, where the Mustangs endured a rough season in 2014, going 2-8. Grant stepped down after Costa Mesa missed the playoffs and posted its worst season in nine years.
But don’t fret Mustang fans.
This is an exciting time at Costa Mesa. So says Haley, and I believe him.
Haley knows plenty about high school football and reviving a team. He took over a program at El Toro that had gone 0-10. He was head football coach there from 2005 to 2009, guiding the Chargers to the CIF playoffs in four seasons, going as far as the quarterfinals one year.
Now the Costa Mesa principal is helping with the football program, as he directs the weightlifting for the players and makes sure they also get in a good workout with track and field coach Steve Moreno, who is also the cross-country coach. Some of the athletes throw, while others work on speed, Haley said.
Haley is also key when it comes to hiring the new football coach.
It’s fair to say he’s still plugged into the Orange County high school coaching fraternity and he’ll know of any bright, up-and-coming coaches who can turn around a program.
You can expect a great hire.
“There are so many factors that lead to a great coach,” Haley said. “The foundation is the character piece. What they bring in day in and day out especially when no one is watching. When they are with the kids and how the coach conducts himself, first and foremost it’s the character. And, it’s the commitment to the program and commitment to the school. And, of course, we want the competitive edge, that desire to win. We’re looking for all of those combined in one. And, the right fit for our school and community.”
Haley and the Mustangs are looking to make it right with this critical football hire.
The first round of interviews should take place at the end of the month. The new coach should be in place no later than mid March, Haley says.
“We’re really excited about the candidate pool,” said Haley, who commended Athletic Director Sharon Uhl for getting the word out, including a post on the CIF Southern Section website. “We are confident that we are going to find the right fit for our school and our kids.”
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Costa Mesa isn’t the only local school about to hire a new football coach.
Sage Hill School is close to naming the coach to take over the Lightning football team, which had its coach J.R. Tolver step down two weeks before the 2014 season.
Tom Kirchmeyer guided Sage Hill to a 3-7 season as interim coach.
Sage Hill has fast become a private school known for its elite placing when it comes to academics. But there is opportunity for success when it comes to football. Tolver proved that as did former head coach Tom Monarch.
There should be plenty of excitement for the new football coach at Sage Hill.
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There is also a high-profile coach hire about to take place at Newport Harbor.
No, Jeff Brinkley isn’t done with the Sailors. The legendary football coach already announced he is returning for his 30th season.
Newport Harbor is interviewing candidates for its new boys’ water polo coach.
Marco Palazzo was the interim coach last season, when Robert Lynn stepped down amid controversy.
This is another hire that is sure to bring excitement.
Could Newport Harbor bring back Jason Lynch, who remains a teacher at the school?
Principal Sean Boulton and Co. wisely brought back Evan Chalmers for the baseball team. But things can be different when it comes to boys’ water polo.
Rest assured, Boulton will get it right and the program will most likely return to greatness after a 10-17 season.