By Tim Peterson
(Montebello) – Eddie Ficklin Jr. has stepped down as the head football coach after three seasons it was confirmed Friday. The position for an opening for a head coach is posted on the CIF Southern Section website.
Cantwell went 1-9 last season and 0-5 in the Del Rey League. The Cardinals’ best year under Ficklin was his first season in 2023 when they went 9-3 overall including 5-1 in the Del Rey League. They advanced to the second round of the CIF playoffs before falling to Westminster 3-0.
Cantwell was 13-19 overall (1-1 in the playoffs) during Ficklin’s three-year run.
Cantwell will begin the search for a new head coach effective immediately.
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Small private schools like Cantwell & St. Paul are going no longer exist due to economics not football. The Archdiocese should look at these properties and redevelop them. Close St. Paul and turn it into commercial property (build warehousing and lease it a distribution co.) or residential units. This would be profitable to the Archdiocese and would provide them with capital to help other more viable Catholic schools and parishes in need. Cantwell is an excellent property! Invest big into the infrastructure and renovate the entire school. New everything: buildings & facilities. Hire high-end teachers (credentialed or from more prestigious colleges) to attract more talented, academically driven students. This will draw in international students too. If not, go residential and build condos/homes, make money to help other Catholic causes. The Church is wasting time and money on these properties and the antiquated institutions that stand on them today.
I read that the WATERBOYS at the SuperBowl are getting $53k. If the smaller privates such as Cantwell and St Paul can’t at least come close to waterboy money, it’s lights out for them.
A (small) list of SGV coaches who have been at their school for 8 or more years (I think)
Mazotta
Pete Gonzalez
Andy George
Adrian Medrano
Dave Ramos
Steve Bogan
Marcel Perez
Dale Ziola
Sergio Gradilla
Mark Carson
Ramos and Ziola each took time off from their current gig. Ziola more than Ramos.
Another private HC quits. Ya gotta start paying these guys.
The good news here is that Ficklin can unabashedly say he coached a “powerhouse.” I know this because that’s how Pete Smolin’s mile-long resume described the Cantwell program. If Pioneer or Whittier act quickly, they can sign Eddie before he interviews for the Trinity league openings.
The fall-off was predicted by this writer and the move up into Del Ray League sealed the deal .
He’ll get another job soon . It’s the way of the world