Virgen: It’s a ‘Rollo’ lovefest
A projection screen flashed images of Mater Dei football highlights, as the house lights went dark in a dining hall at the Island Hotel in Newport Beach.
All that could be heard was the deep, loud, fiery and raspy voice of Coach Bruce Rollinson.
“Gentlemen, life’s battles don’t always go to the stronger or faster man,” Rollinson shouts during the video. “Sooner or later the man who wins is the one who thinks he can. You know you can! I know you can! You go out there, you maintain the traditions of this program! You play your ass off! And, you play for those stripes!”
The lights came back on. A standing ovation followed as Rollinson was introduced to speak as the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation Sportsman of the Year Wednesday night. It was an honor well deserved. It was a night that featured his former players, Matt Barkley and Khaled Holmes, among others to honor Rollinson.
The longtime Mater Dei football coach was humbled by the award. He said he’s not one to enjoy so much attention or hype, but he said his wife, Laurie, urged him to enjoy the night.
Rollinson appeared to have a great time amid a crowd of close to 400.
“I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation for this prestigious honor,” Rollinson said.
Since 1971, the OCYSF has provided scholarships and grants to young athletes in Orange County. The organization also supports other athletic programs for youth.
The OCYSF Sportsman of the Year banquet is the group’s largest fundraiser. Past winners have included Bill Walsh (2000), Jerry West (1998), George Yardley (1979) and Teemu Selanne (2013).
“To be put in the same honor as them is overwhelming,” said Rollinson, who has compiled an overall record of 240-76-2 with five CIF Southern Section titles and one state title in 25 seasons. “I’m honored to join that distinguished list.”
Along with the honor came traditional roasting from Barkley, Holmes, as well as John Huarte, Kennedy Polamalu, John Hopkins, Leo Boese and Stan Morrison.
Tom Johnson, the former Daily Pilot publisher and a OCYSF board member, was the event’s emcee.
Those in attendance included Paul Salata, Laird Hayes and former Corona del Mar High Coach Scott Meyer, who is now the Servite coach.
Holmes, a prep All-American for Rollinson in 2007, is the starting center for the Indianapolis Colts.
He said Rollinson was so old he didn’t re-write the record books as a player at Mater Dei and USC, he wrote them.
Barkley, a Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who starred at Mater Dei, and Holmes referred to Rollinson as a second father, but that didn’t stop Barkley from teasing his former coach about his golf game, as they played together on Monday.
Playing golf brought back a memory for Barkley.
“When we practiced and if you were tired, Coach’s go-to line was ‘if it’s too hard you can go play golf,’” Barkley said, turning to talk to Rollinson. “I guess nothing was ever too hard for you because you clearly have never played golf.”
Barkley also offered a great impersonation of the coach, known to many as “Rollo.”
The star Monarchs quarterback who grew up in Newport Beach once had a rough day of practice as a freshman. Barkley said the coach invited him to his home for a barbecue to get his mind off his bad play.
“At that moment I saw hope,” Barkley said. “This guy believes in me. I don’t know what he saw in me, but he saw enough to at least be cordial with me. But that thought was instantly shut down when he said, ‘You’re going to enjoy this Labor Day barbecue at the bottom of my pool.’ My confidence was crushed.”
Jokes aside, Barkley and Holmes expressed meaningful gratitude for their coach.
“I’m honored to be up here tonight to give tribute to the greatest coach I ever played for,” Barkley said. “The greatest pre-game speeches I ever heard. The greatest coach that I’ll probably ever know. I love you coach.”