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T-Minus-195 Days until “The Mid Valley Classic”

I said it a few weeks ago…I roll Villanova!

Kentucky really didn’t look like the number two team in the country today…and I didn’t think Tennessee looked good at all….All of which would have made them undefeated in the Pac 10 this season.

College basketball needs to get back to the player introductions being televised. Especially with so many players leaving early, they need as much player identification as they can get.

Whittier Christian’s Garrett Fulbright has committed to Grand View College in Iowa.

The Heralds may be losing their top back to graduation, but have you noticed who they return? Their number one defender Jeff Worthy. Their quarterback Stephen Anderson and his top two receivers in Cameron Stanley and Grant Escobar. Plus a full linebacking crew in Rudy Robles, George Flynn, and Tim Sanchez.

I don’t think anyone is going to be surprised by Whittier Christian this fall.

Have you been a loyal Fanview reader through the years? If you have been you may remember that I proposed the NFL change sudden death from first who scores wins, to first who scores a touchdown wins. If one team kicks a field goal, then the other team gets one shot at tying it or winning it with a touchdown.

I suggested this years ago…and now put of Indianapolis three hours ago:

“Under the new format, both teams would get the ball at least once unless the first team to get the ball scores a touchdown,” NFL Spokesman Greg Aiello said. “If the first team to get the ball makes a field goal and the other team ties the game, action would continue until a team scores again.”

Then Ailello goes on to say: “There have been various concepts that have been discussed in recent years, but this one has never been proposed.”

Exsqueeze Me? This is the kind of thing that irritates me.

The proposal goes to vote at the league meetings in Orlando in March.

Now what they need to do is make all pass interference penalties in the final two minutes of every game, and all overtimes, regular season and post-season, subject to review.

Can Blue State make an argument for me as to why I should play fantasy baseball?

How important is a staff?

“A staff is everything,” one local HC said. “If anyone tells you anything different then they were too stupid to keep or put together a staff of their own. And they are the teams always missing the playoffs and at the bottom of their leagues.

A truth I’ve only recently learned is that the only true free agents in prep sports are the assistant coaches.

Unfortunately the money the assistants make is usually based on well a team’s firework stand did over the summer.

The player is trapped. No matter the good or the bad of the district or school they need special things to happen to go to another place without taking a hit.

The on campus head coach serves at the behest of the administration and when an administration wants to make a change the head coach still keeps his teaching job. The problem is going to another school isn’t easy and has almost become impossible for the veteran educator. School districts don’t necessarily recognize time and service put into another.

Erick Escamilla, for example, after serving all these years in El Monte Unified wouldn’t necessarily have his time recognized by the San Gabriel School District. This effects retirement, pay grade, tenure, the whole ball of wax.

He can coach someplace else, albeit as a walk-on.

The walk-on head coach has become common in every other sport in high school, but not near as much in football. The football program is always bigger, the football program needs hands on, on site, to make it work.

There are some exceptions, but its a tough call.

No, the only true free agent is the assistant. They can go anywhere, leave anytime they like. When a head coach is fired, retires, or resigns they get to weigh their options. Sometimes they are teachers, sometimes they work in financial offices and do what they do out of love for the game.

Felipe Aguilar’s staff at Los Altos was enormous. All of these guys are up for grabs. All of Anthony White’s staff, many based locally and unwilling to drive down to the OC everyday, are free agents. Keith Jones people are are out there as well.

The guy I always think of is Gypsy John Tuttle. He has been a quarterback coach everywhere but is staying put at San Marino…until he finds a permanent teaching gig.

(Not an easy thing in California these days.)

Jerry Chou, who ran Temple City’s defense in 2009 and won CIF titles at Eagle Rock, most certainly is considering options that are best for him.

Rams offensive coordinator Michael Mckay is now available. Tony Sumida, Rafik Thorossian, will be instant dynamite wherever they land.

Regardless of the work Jude Oliva is currently doing at San Gabriel he’s in limbo and eyeing his future.

Ted Clarke, with success and experience, has found a home on the Monrovia staff.

Zeke Prado is out there.

If somebody close to home calls is Randy Backus still got coaching in the blood? What about Manny Ruedaflores? You think Manny Ruedaflores is ready to turn it off just because pops retired?

They can go anywhere they want. No one can stop them. No boundaries apply. All they have to consider is place, future, environment, and dough.

I have heard former Alhambra star Aryn Hart is loving life as a husband, dad, and school teacher.

Stay thirsty my friends…

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