By Tim Peterson
(Alhambra) – Eric Bergstrom has stepped down as the head football coach at Alhambra after 10 years. Offensive Coordinator Mike Mackintosh has been named the new head coach he confirmed Thursday night.
The Moors went 1-9 last year (1-4 in the Almont League). Bergstrom’s overall record in a decade at the helm was 49-59. His teams won one Almont League championship (2019) and made four playoff appearances. His playoff record was 4-4.
The Moors most successful seasons under Bergstrom were in 2018 (8-2) and 2019 (12-1) which included a league title and a run to the Division 13 semifinals. In 2016 Bergstrom led the Moors to a record of 5-6 and it was his first playoff appearance.
In 2021 Alhambra finished 6-7 overall and advanced to the Division 14 semifinals. The Moors started the season 1-4 that year before winning five of their next seven games to make it to the semis.
“I’m excited about the opportunity. I am an alumni so this is home for me,” Mackintosh said. “I am grateful to have played for Coach Ruedaflores and Torres. But I am beyond grateful for the guidance I have gotten from Coach Bergstrom.”
Mackintosh has been at Alhambra for 12 years and has been the OC since 2018.
@ Pete the Greek: Support for San Gabriel High’s football program predates Coach Encinas’ arrival there, and by a lot. Matador Stadium received a major overhaul in 2007, getting a new artificial field, artificial track, concourses, and seating. I believe that new lights were part of the package, too, but I could be mistaken.
At the same time, about all that Alhambra High got was new lighting at Moor Field. By the way, San Gabriel has had another artificial field installed since.
@ Noah’s Dad: That’s a rather inane comment. First, pretty much everyone who has been reasonably close to Alhambra’s football program knows that Coach Mackintosh was the offensive coordinator and not the head coach. However, he was entrusted with a lot of responsibility and was essentially the assistant head coach for the last several years.
By the way, I believe that no one in coaching would succeed if they didn’t have some type of ego. They have to believe in themselves first, and if they’re smart, they have a particular way of doing things that they develop into a system for their respective programs.
There are also two sides to that coin; some mercenary players and parents have egos as well. And, anyone who is talented and driven to succeed most likely has one. Ego can be good or bad; how it fits into the overall situation can be a matter of degree.
Mack wasn’t the coach at the time🤔🤔🤔 The head coach had an ego 🤔🤔🤔
@ Anonymous (the one talking about Coach Mackintosh’s Alhambra roots): I don’t believe Coach Mack will go in that direction, but we’ll see what happens. He played for Gil Ruedaflores and started as an assistant coach under Lou Torres, but he’s spent the bulk of his time in the program working under Coach Bergstrom.
Football recruiting hasn’t been a thing at Alhambra High in quite a while, and I don’t think we’re going to drastically change our approach now. However, I could be wrong.
@ Question Mark: It’s going to take some time, but I hope that Alhambra will be better than so-so relatively soon. It will require a lot of hard work and at least a little luck, but I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
@ Moor: Yeah, Coach Mack (as offensive coordinator) and Coach Bergstrom both did a great job meshing an untested freshman quarterback with a group of talented juniors and seniors in 2018. What resulted was a 20-3 run, with an 8-2 record in 2018 followed by a 12-1 mark in 2019. (The latter year also included an Almont League title and a run to the Division 13 semifinals.)
Then, when it appeared that a major rebuild was looming, with (as I recall) fewer than 10 seniors returning for the ill-fated 2020 season, Noah decided to bolt for Monrovia. Good old Chris Williams got himself a ready-made, successful quarterback without having to do any extra work. Noah’s running back friend, whom we also could’ve used in 2021, ended up at Monrovia as well.
But about that 2021 season. After starting out 1-4, Alhambra rallied behind its new quarterback (Michael Gonzalez, who threw for over 2,000 yards), finishing second in league and advancing to the Division 14 semis.
So yeah, those Alhambra coaches did the best they could with whatever players they got.
RV you prove what one fan can do to bring a little notice to a soso program. It’s great for the boys. I mean this thread has 40 comments and counting and its 6 months to week 0. You have Alhambra right there with the ER base as far as passion for a team.
@Ron Vrooman Mac is from the Gil era so he knows he going to have to recruit talent to Alhambra if he want to win
@ Bottom Line & Question Mark: I appreciate the compliments. I’m pleased to tell you that I intend to continue with the substitute teaching and stat-keeping for as long as I’m physically able. I enjoy working with our young people (most of the time), and I like watching high school sports. Those are things that help keep me going.
I’m getting a lot of teaching work right here in AUSD, so I don’t need to roam around. I’ll always be an Alhambra guy anyway; I went to AHS and I’m committed to the success of my old school and the community that it serves.
As I mentioned before, Mike Mackintosh and most of our assistant football coaches also attended Alhambra High, and I’m willing to bet that they feel the same way. We have a big challenge ahead, but we’re not easily discouraged.
bring Zion Babb back as WR coach, Peko as RB coach, Darrian Cazarin as qb coach.
@Ron my question is coach has a daughter and without getting into to many details if you been around the program you know coach loves his family but can coach commit to being a head coach given that he needs to be there for his daughter.
I’d like to thank Ron Vrooman for his efforts to improve the situation at the Alhambra district. Further, with all the smack talk that gets thrown around this site, it’s sort of refreshing to hear from a guy who is articulate and sincere. How can we not applaud this man who is a force for good in a difficult situation?
Respect RV: After reading your passion for Alhambra football for lo these many difficult seasons ever think about going on the road with your enthusiasm for another program? Cal High, San Dimas etc. need substitute teachers and their fan bases have no presence on these threads. One of these programs could use your help.
@ Question Mark: With all due respect, I’m not jealous of Mark Keppel. I actually work there sometimes. I commend the students and staff at Keppel for their academic accomplishments, and for their niche success in sports such as boys’ and girls’ basketball and tennis.
I’m also happy that the AUSD finally did right by Keppel and used the largest portion of the 2008 high school bond money for two new classroom buildings, Aztec Arena, and upgrades to Aztec Stadium. The Keppel community had to wait a long time for those improvements, and they materialized only after a struggle.
Alhambra High School has had to wait for decades, counting both the main campus and the football facility at Moor Field.
The issues with Moor Field go back to at least the 1960’s, when Alhambra couldn’t play night games there for several years because there were no lights. Students had to sell chocolate and whatnot to raise money because the Board of Education couldn’t or wouldn’t provide the funding. The new light posts were put up in 1967 and lasted until 2007.
In addition, Alhambra had to play its home games at ELAC for around 15 years in the 1980’s and ’90’s because the conditions at Moor Field were so deplorable. Play didn’t resume there until 1998.
That’s the type of persistent neglect I’m talking about, and in recent years that neglect has extended to the AHS campus itself. The blame for all of that can be shared by the Board of Education, the district administration, and the City of Alhambra (which wouldn’t give up the part of Fourth Street that runs past AHS).
I work at all three of the AUSD high schools and at several of the elementary schools, and I believe the district should do its best to promote success at every campus. No one should be set up for failure.
The conditions that have existed at Alhambra High School for years now would not be tolerated at any of the elementary schools. Historically, Mark Keppel and Alhambra have taken turns being the one campus that has received the bulk of the neglect from the Alhambra Unified School District. This pattern isn’t right, and it should be stopped.
In parting, I want to make a few comments about the quality of the academic programs at the AUSD high schools. There are problems, but we’ve had noteworthy successes as well.
The Academic Decathlon team at Alhambra High (yes, AHS) recently won first place in the L.A. County competition, beating out Mark Keppel’s team and everyone else’s outside of LAUSD. In addition, many students at our high schools take Advanced Placement classes, and a good number of them pass those exams every spring. (We’re trying to get those percentages up, though.)
AUSD has substantial numbers of special needs students and English language learners to work with, in addition to a lot of students in regular classes who have literacy or other learning issues. It’s a difficult situation, but progress can be made if everyone involved (students, parents, extended families, teachers, staff, and administrators) make a concerted effort to change things.
I say the Almont will come down to SG and Schurr this season.
@ Alhambra Admin: I will partly disagree with you. I know a lot, being an observant person who has had the privilege of working in the AHS football program for the last 20 years.
However, I’ve never once claimed or even believed that I know everything.
As a semi-insider who isn’t on campus every day, it’s impossible for me to know everything that’s going on with everyone who is connected with the program. I also don’t need to know every single detail in order to do my job effectively.
I’d be the first one to tell you that I have not been privy to everything that has gone on behind the scenes at Alhambra over the last two decades. In particular, I can’t begin to explain how AHS and AUSD administrators in the past came to some of their decisions which have affected the athletic program. (I also feel the same way when it comes to the instructional program and the quality of life on the AHS campus.)
So, I admit to not knowing everything, but I can speak knowledgeably about what I have seen and heard. I also try to have an open mind and benefit from the information and perspectives that others have to offer. I’ll continue to make my contribution for as long as possible.
@ Anonymous (the one talking about San Gabriel’s football program): The administration at SGHS made the mistake of hiring two successive walk-on head coaches after Jude Oliva’s departure following the 2012 season. That mistake effectively delayed the Matadors’ turnaround by five years.
The walk-on coaches failed to exploit San Gabriel’s two big built-in advantages, which are beautiful facilities and a good youth feeder program (the Rosemead Rebels). It took Coach Encinas, who was given a teaching position and was also fully invested in the school and community, to get the Matadors back on the winning track.
@ Noah’s Dad: I’ve always thought that Mike Mackintosh is a good offensive coordinator and a great guy. Coach Bergstrom thinks likewise, and I believe that he spent the last several years preparing Mack for the day when he’d get the opportunity to take over the program.
Coach Mackintosh knows the high school game thoroughly and has good rapport with the players. He went to Alhambra High himself (in the early 2000’s), and he’s patient and understanding. However, he doesn’t take too much stuff, either.
In addition, I expect that most of our assistant coaches, nearly all of whom also attended AHS, will be back to help Coach Mackintosh next season. Everyone on the football staff will be working hard to make AHS competitive again in the near future.
SG has been a sleeping giant they just needed someone to establish the Rosemead rebel pipeline Jude was successful with getting a good amount of Rosemead rebels to SG. Kevin and Galan brought into SG and took them awhile but they are successful now they understood the SG culture
The downfall started when Encinitas and Galan got to San Gabriel. San Gabriel was dreadful for 10 years after oliva left it in shambles. Take the time to hire the right guys.
@Zip it
Most of what you stated is spot on. Very few students are ready to take on the world or even support themselves after high school, that being said there are exceptions to the rules. Whatever bad thing you think of high school football, the one thing that high school does, it makes boys into men; physically, mentally and emotionally. High school football is not for everybody but if you, your son, your nephew, your father, etc… played high school football there are a better person and have a good outlook on life.
This is what some really good high school principal know, especially the ones that played when they were in high school. Unfortunately, now more than ever high school principals don’t understand this and are not carefully hiring the right coach for the job.
Does Alhambra have a principle now there was an interim in place but the down fall of the Alhambra football program began when the feeder program thunder birds shut down operations, then Lou Torres and the booster club got into, then a serious of bad hires I still believe they should have kept chuck. Eric stabilized the program
@Alhambra Admin when Jude, Torres, galan got the job it was posted and interviews of other candidates happened Jude and zeke were up for the Alhambra job when Torres got it. Maybe am wrong and the position as football coach at Alhambra was advertised but seems like the just hired coach Mac didn’t consider anybody else.
Couldn’t win when it counted.
This is for all the dopes that think any school principal has the idea of improving any athletics on the their top ten list of things to fix at their school. Most administrators have to trust that the coaches on their staff are doing their best. That’s why MK can lose year after year as long as no one gets sued or does
something dumb. So Bergstrom left and another coach was on staff to take over. Why go through the trouble of interviewing. When Ruedaflores left, Torres took over. When Jones left SG, Olivia took over. Encinas left, Galan took over. I know everyone thinks school districts are focused on football, sorry they aren’t.
Quit listening to the sub teacher, He doesn’t know all that goes on.
Every time somebody chimes in to talk about a public school’s academics, it disgusts me. You make it sound like kids are graduating with technical training, or credentials to practice law. Sad truth is, NOBODY gets out of high school with more than minimum wage capability. The high school counselors even tell the youngsters that they need to feel their way through college to find their niche, a hidden way of saying that K-12 did nothing to further their lives.
Needless to say, sports in the only thing in a young person’s life (up until age 18) that teaches any life lessons, which is why I strongly advocate that these institutions come down from their high horses and support athletics. It’s the only reality-based thing going on there.
Surprised Ron, you sound jeolous of Keppel. They have received some notariety because of sport #2 basketball. Their girls are a top program every year and their academics for a public are 2nd to none. Well done Keppell.
Great job by the administration we got a part time football coach as Mac as helps with the baseball team wonder if he quitting the baseball coaching gig
They had heckuva squad in 2019. Good luck to Coach
The district trying to make Alhambra a nerd school like keppel they don’t care about SG all the sports teams at Alhambra struggling
Coach Mac did such a great job Noah decided to transfer schools 🤔🤔🤔.
Alhambra used to be the pride of Ausd. SG started getting all the support when Encinas got there. How did they get a new field and new weight room before Alhambra? Come on Alhambra is a dump now.
@ron Vrooman don’t disagree with the facilities but you can’t control that the school district should have brought the old super A land but in regards to coach Mac getting the gig without the position being advertised etc big mistake not sure how they got away doing that
Wow great move!! Finallly Alhambra u get it right n I believe in coach Mack!! U saw something in Noah in 2018!! U got the keys now!!!!
The Alhambra Unified School District could care less about sports. Another prime example with this hire. Would have opened it up and seen what was out there.
The Alhambra Unified School District, where Alhambra High goes last. (Mark Keppel High School used to have that distinction, but the Keppel community got two new classroom buildings, a new arena, and upgrades to their stadium over a decade ago.)
Just go by the AHS campus, as well as the football facility at Moor Field (which is around 3/4 of a mile away), and you’ll see exactly what I’m talking about. Many of Alhambra High’s facilities have been neglected for decades, and two 60-year-old classroom buildings are finally getting major renovations now.
Construction of the new track facility and multi-purpose infield, which was supposed to start on Fourth Street this summer, has been delayed by yet another year. The City of Alhambra earlier played a role in delaying the project by refusing to give up a block of Fourth Street to the school district, a move which also prevented a more comprehensive makeover of the AHS campus.
AUSD has typically done right by its elementary schools, but over the decades, it has failed to maintain an evenhanded approach toward its three high schools. For more than half a century, the facilities at one school (either Mark Keppel or Alhambra) have been permitted to lag behind.
This is just one of the issues that we’ve had to put up with at AHS. In my opinion, the sporadic successes which we’ve achieved in football, in addition to our accomplishments in other areas, have largely come in spite of the school district, not because of it.
Should have brought back Lou torres 🫢
So many good proven head coaches out there and the administration at Alhambra decides to promote the OC who stepped aside for some games this past winter, coaches baseball and hopefully he does a good job but I don’t see it working out long term but who knows
@Ron why didn’t Alhambra run a search for its next football coach?
Since the exit of a coach is somewhat like a death, I too would like to add my heartfelt sentiments in this hour of Alhambra’s loss. It was an honor to watch Bergstrom make so many valiant efforts on the Moors’ behalf in his decade of endeavor. The Almont is losing one heck of a guy, and we pray that Mackintosh is able to sustain Eric’s level of excellence.
Tough task for coach Mike Alhambra don’t got talent no feeder program hopefully you used coach Gil’s tactic and recruits Pasadena and el Serano kids
Horrible and lazy move by Alhambra to not interview candidates just hire the current oc, I will predict coach Mike stepping down in a year as the head coaching job takes a lot of time and coach Mike has had issues this year and stepped aside for awhile
Not surprised Eric stepped down did a good job rebuilding the Alhambra football program. Surprised by the hire of Mike Mackintosh as he stepped aside for a little time this past year to tend to some issues and now he gets promoted to head coach which is a more stressful and time consuming job. Interested in knowing why Alhambra didn’t run coaching search? Don’t see Mike Mackintosh being the long term answer at Alhambra
I wish Coach Mackintosh the best of luck in his new job, and I also commend Coach Bergstrom for hanging in there for 10 years despite some very challenging circumstances at Alhambra High. I extend my best wishes to him and his family as he takes time off from coaching.