By Tim Peterson
(Norwalk) -Elijhaa Penny, who starred at running back for Norwalk High School before moving on to college and the NFL, has been named the new head football coach at Glenn High School.
After playimg for Jesse Ceniceros at Norwalk Penny went on to play at Cerritos College and then Idaho.
After going undrafted in 2016 he landed with the Arizona Cardinals and played there in 2017. He then moved on to the New York Giants for four years before retiring after the 2021 campaign.
Penny has now decided to embark on a new chapter in his life taking on the role of coaching.
Penny has his work cut out as Glenn went 2-7 last year and 0-3 in the 605 League. But as a local athlete who knows what it takes to be successful it would seem there would be nobody better that will be up to the task.
So there was a big hoopla at Glenn HS yesterday for a guy they hired based on name recognition not coaching experience. It sounds like another who you know at the schoolhire for Glenn, yes he played in the NFL but there has been plenty of former players who didn’t pan out as coaches. It seems like a hire to try and attract kids to go there because of their low enrollment. I’m sure there was a number of qualified candidates that had “more” coaching experience but not the recognized name to go with it.
I’m wondering what is taking so long for Glenn to start working out. If he is hired, why haven’t they started yet. Is he even cleared because you have all the schools in the surrounding area starting. From what I’ve heard he has not even got the team together. Once again this program is getting off on the wrong foot and they are gonna be so far behind
Pretty stupid statement Matt when you consider every high school HC played the game.
Because he knows how to play does not mean he knows how to Coach.
He will attract a few quality players and probably RB’s. Every dad would like his kid coached up by a NFL running back and more than likely a few NFL pals will be around the program.
What coaching? So must me either Cerritos or Artesia as two schools Glenn beats.
Coaching might win two of three league games
First you need a feeder development pop warner league. Not a lot of kid play football area the Glenn area. He has his work cut out but it will take time.
So who is he beating in league?
If he can get say get 6 wins and a quarter final appearance in D14 next year he will then be a very hot commodity in HC coaching circles. Good fit for LB Poly and the like. Glenn sophs have to realize he won’t be there long no matter what is said.
I wonder what the Norwalk alumni think about this move
Like the astronaut for which the school is named, Penny is set to launch this program into unexplored territory. Hope the double wing is part of the fuel in this rocket.
Pretty smart move. All you can do is go up.