High School Football: Costa Mesa welcomes new coach

Tucked away in a room at the Newport Rib Company in Costa Mesa, Glen Fisher talked to a group of boosters, players and parents about his excitement to be the new Costa Mesa High football coach.

The 54-year-old, dressed in a black sweatshirt, blue jeans and sneakers, expressed his anticipation to, “helping guide these young men and helping them build a football program that they can be proud of.”

Fisher didn’t want to speak into a microphone because he knew his voice would carry throughout the room.

“I’m a football coach,” he explained.

He left his job as coach at Beckman for the opportunity to build a strong football program at Costa Mesa, where a new stadium is expected in 2016.

Fisher believes he knows what it takes to make it happen, as he takes over a team that went 2-8 last season.

“We’re going to work hard,” said Fisher, who guided Beckman to 4-6 records each of the last two seasons. “You guys are going to work harder than you ever worked. That’s the only way I know how to do it. It’s going to be a great day. It’s a new day and I’m very fortunate I get to drive the bus.”

Fisher spoke for a short time, but had several conversations with players and parents during the event.

“This was great,” said Laurel Curet, a booster who has been involved with the program for the past eight years with two sons, Trace, who now plays football for Chapman, and Cameron, who will be a senior in the fall. “This event was needed for the program.”

Sammy Swanson, who will be senior in the fall, also said the event was great for the community. He, like Cameron Curet, was a player on the hiring board for the first round of interviews of the coaches.

Swanson said he enjoys Fisher’s excitement.

“I loved it,” Swanson said of how he felt about Fisher’s desire to work hard. “I got fired up just sitting in my seat. I was ready go out and do drills and do anything right now.”

Fisher had visited the school Tuesday morning and spoke briefly to roughly 120 students, consisting of players in the program and those interested in competing on the football team.

“You could’ve heard a pin drop,” Costa Mesa Athletic Director Sharon Uhl said, describing the setting for when Fisher spoke to the students. “The place was quiet. There were over 120 kids in that room and he had them captivated. They were excited about starting fresh and starting over and starting with change. He talked about building character and what it takes to be a good football player on and off the field. He told the kids that grades are important. He talked about commitment and what it takes to have commitment to each other. It was really motivational.”

He also inspired the students, by saying Costa Mesa is going to beat rival Estancia like a drum, Uhl said.

Rivalry aside, Uhl and other adminstrators know the importance of football and the new coach.

“I think it’s the key piece, trying to change the culture of the school, trying to get kids more connected, inspiring them,” Uhl said. “Football starts the year off. If you have a good season, it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the year.”

Fisher’s 2015 will be a busy year that’s for sure. He said he’ll start working with the team on Monday. At Tuesday’s meet-and-greet, he introduced his fiance, Jennifer Livingston. They are planning to marry in June.

There’s a possibility he will be a teacher at Costa Mesa in the fall, or he could remain as a teacher at Beckman, Costa Mesa Principal Jake Haley said.

Haley, a former El Toro football coach, called Fisher a great fit for Costa Mesa’s program.

“He’s a coach of character,” Haley said of Fisher.

Haley said he enjoyed what Fisher told the students Tuesday morning. Fisher talked about character, Haley said.

Haley also said Fisher showed how organized he is by having football practices mapped out for the off-season.

“He talked about not wasting days,” Haley said. “It was great to see how meticulous he is.”

Fisher offered parents to ask questions on Tuesday night. Katrina Foley, Swanson’s mother and a team booster, asked Fisher what type of offense he will run.

Fisher responded with multiple sets, lots of motion, and an offense that will feature different tempos.

He also provided his philosophy.

“Everything we do we’re going to compete,” Fisher said. “We’re going to compete in the weight room. We’re going to compete in the classroom. We’re going to compete on the practice field. We’re going to compete in the games. You earn that right to play. You work hard, you compete, you get to play. So that’s what offense we’re going to run.”

Fisher said his Mustangs will attack the ball on defense.

Building the program into a strong one is a big reason he left Beckman for Costa Mesa.

“Timing is the great way to define it,” Fisher said of his coaching move. “This is the right place and the right time for me. I’m going to do everything I can to convince them that they made the right choice.”