South Hills Academy head coach Jericho Silvernail
By George Hernandez
[West Covina] – Big George talks with the inaugural head football coach for South Hills Academy, Jericho Silvernail, about the upcoming season and his vision for the new program.
Q: What’s up Coach, how’s it going?
A: It’s going well George. I appreciate you reaching out and wanting to learn more about our program!
Q: The last seven seasons you had been at Long Beach CC, where have you coached before that?
A: Before Long Beach City, I coached at Cerritos High School, Torrance Pop Warner, Palos Verdes Peninsula High School and Santiago High School in Garden Grove. I have coached just about every position on the field over the years and have been around some incredible coaches.
Q: How exciting is it to be the first head coach at South Hills Academy and what made you apply for this job.
A: Honestly, I’m ecstatic to have this opportunity. To be able to build a program from the ground up and establish a culture is almost a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, which is what made it so attractive to apply for. What makes it a dream situation is having an Athletic Director and Administration that is in complete alignment with what our program standards and goals are. I know how blessed I am to be in this situation.
Q: What are your numbers looking like right now, and have you started up with any off-season workouts?
A: We are growing each and every day, so it is hard to give you exact numbers. But we will be ready to compete come Week Zero against Maya Angelou. And we have lifting for our guys right now, with spring ball coming in April.
Q: What do you want your identity to be for the program?
A: I want us to be known as a relentless program, that does the little things correctly, no matter the circumstance. Gritty and hard working. An Old School mentality with modern swagger.
Q: What would you consider a successful first year in the program?
A: We compete every game and establish our culture. We want to show that the future is bright for South Hills Academy Football.
Q: How is your staff coming along? I see you have a few spots to fill.
A: It’s coming along well! I am looking forward to introducing the community to our staff in the very near future.
Q: Is there one player we should look out for during the season?
A: Amir Muhammad! He is going to be a sophomore this upcoming season and is looking to be an athlete for us. Hard worker who is excited to compete this upcoming season.
Q: Anything else you want to let us know?
A: Honestly that I feel honored that my Principal Mrs. Geri Oka, my Athletic Directors Mr. Jake Corona and Mr. Oscar Robles, and the entire South Hills Academy community have given me their trust to be the first head coach in program history. It is an exciting time and I look forward to being an Eagle for years to come!
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South Hills Academy is in good hands, they hired a man that is passionate and understands the game. He is beyond the x’s ans o’s. He about building relationships and making boys to young men. Jericho Silvernail is a solid hire.
Now go talk to young Austin Montoya at St. Paul. This guy is being asked to take on some of the southland’s finest programs with very little pay or prospects. Another couple of programs that for all intents and purposes are virtually starting from scratch are Pioneer and Whittier, so whoever those schools are able to hire, they could be given the same questions as those put to Silvernail.