- East Bay Prep Corner
Logan coordinator Eric Billeci named Cal High football coach
By Kyle Bonagura
Wednesday, April 29th, 2009 at 1:38 pm in Uncategorized.
The search if finally over.
California High principal Mark Corti announced today that James Logan defensive coordinator Eric Billeci has been tabbed as the next football coach.
Billeci played at De La Salle and later at Saint Mary’s College before getting into teaching and coaching immediately following that.
He has served as the defensive coordinator at Freedom under Kevin Hartwig and most recently under George Zuber at Logan for the past three years.
Billeci is a PE teacher at James Logan — Cal does not have any teaching jobs open for next year at this time.
He is expected to bring a power-type running game as the base offense, something that rising-senior offensive lineman Max Schultz said the team is happy about.
“That’s pretty much what we were last year, we’re definitely happy to be a running team,” Shultz said.
Billechi replaces former coach Tony Sanchez, who compiled a 35-21 record over the past five seasons. During Sanchez’ tenure Cal won its first North Coast Section playoff game and advanced to the NCS 4A championship game in 2007.
Sanchez left after accepting the head coaching position at Nevada state power Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas in early March.
Strength and conditioning coach Sean Manuel, who was a finalist for the head coaching job, will remain with the program.
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April 29th, 2009 at 1:42 pm
First!
WHOA! Didn’t see this one coming AT ALL! Total stealth
April 29th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
wow. big surprise! hopefully the defensive mindset will help Cal High football progress to the next level.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
What a joke. Hired a coach with no experience for a solid program in a great league. How did they pass up the Miramonte coach? His credentials were outstanding. It figures though, this is the school that once hired Dwayne Murphy as its football coach. Livermore will now have some company at the bottom.
April 29th, 2009 at 1:58 pm
Eh, all of a sudden I don’t think Wade, Walsh, Longero, etc… were candidates. I sense some rumblings about to occur from the Cal community. I think when Coach Sanchez left there was a feeling of “oh no!… but that’s okay we’ll get someone really good to replace him”. Billeci may end up being GREAT, but right now I’m guessing there may be a little backlash. Maybe ProudParent can leak some info…
April 29th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I know they didn’t hire a big name but Billeci is going to be a fantastic coach. Great hire for Cal High. He’s a young guy and will hopefully be a Grizzly for a long time.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Wade, Walsh, Longerto etc were never candidates. As for “backlash”, they hired a great coach and this isn’t college football or the NFL. Any parent who complains they didn’t hire a big name thinks their kid is way better than they really are.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Don’t know the guy. I do know that Cal beat Logan a couple of seasons ago in NCS semis. Seems to me Logan’s defense has been solid the last three years though.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:13 pm
WaitWhat?? would have written the just about the same thing 6 years ago. I imagine it would go something like this…
“Sanchez Who? Cal hires some guy from New Mexico with NO HEAD COACHING experience. What a joke. Livermore will now have some company at the bottom”
April 29th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Congratulations to Coach Billeci! Welcome to the Grizzly Den.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
Billeci played at De La Salle and was a Tight End at St. Mary’s. I’ve heard nothing but great things about him. I’m excited for the Grizz.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I was wrong about Sean Manuel getting the job at Cal, my error.
Second, Eric Bellici?????????????????? What!?
Defensive Coordinator at Logan high? What the tiddlywinks is going on down there at Cal?
Maybe I should have thrown my resume into the loop at Cal high, even my dozen years in the Concord area dwarfs Bellici’s!
Third, it has Now Been Confirmed that all of the EBAL head football coaches have scraped together enough money and have sent the Cal High Interview committee free round trip tickets to Paris and an all expenses paid trip for two for each committee member.
Who cares if Bellici went to De La Salle? Any coach worth his onions knows how to defend the veer.
Why the long wait to announce today? Who did Bellici have to tell he was leaving Logan? He is not even the head coach under Zuber, and what has Zuber done to get Bellici into the final spot?
If Bellici does not Win the EBAL in two years with that corral of talent at Cal, he will be back at Logan where he should have stayed for a few more years or gotten his ears dry at a lower level head job.
Who saw THAT coming?
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Glad to hear Sean Manuel is going to remain in the program. He’s a heck of a coach and such a positive influence on the kids.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
KillerD- nobody can hear you when you are sitting down because you are talking out of your ass.
April 29th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Calmer heads prevail when peering into this Cal deal.
We all need to look at the Pros and Cons:
Cons:
Bellici teaches in Union City at James Logan, and must now make the drive up to San Ramon 5 days per week sometimes during traffic to get there with enough time
Bellici’s time during the day is booked, so he will not be readily available being in Union City and far away from Cal
Bellici was probably promised top priority to substitute teach at Cal if Logan already Pink Slipped him
Is Bellici being made to keep all of the assistants returning to Cal high, including Manuel? Tough to do
Bellici is an Average defensive mind at best, Logan has done Nothing with him calling the shots on Def.
Bellici is Green Bright Green, and will have training wheels on during his first year at the helm
Who or better yet, What Very Good Offensive Coordinator is going to want to work under Bellici? Worse yet, it has to be a Very Good Offensive Coordinator or Cal will Not Win the EBAL title.
Bellici will bring a power running game to Cal high – nothing new, and maybe too predictable and limited to Win the EBAL title
Pros:
Bellici is a nice guy, played at Spartanville and Saint Mary’s and has some limited experience at a couple of programs in the east bay
Repeat…………………..
April 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
Ouch! Bad hire, Cal is not the same downtrodden program that it was way back when Tony Sanchez took over the program and built it up.
Cal fumbled the ball on this hire.
Mad Bear
April 29th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
No Pistolpete, I would have first mentioned how they hired a guy with no experience who also lied on his resume’. Sanchez was thrown in at the last minute and turned out to be a great fit. But, how often does that happen? Maybe I’m just an idiot for assuming there would be some logic in hiring qualified people. Maybe lightning will strike twice in the same place and Billeci will work out. He had better be ready, because we know those coaches in that league are licking their chops right now.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:02 pm
Hey Wait?What?
What or how did Bellici lie on his resume as you state above?
Let us hear it NOW so this can be let out NOW!
If he lied, he is over and done today!
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
I am assuming all of the people making the negative comments about Eric are coming coaches who have coached in the EBAL right? It seems to me that everyone likes to have an opionion especially people who have NEVER done coaching at this level. You are same parents who are in the stands questioning every play. Got him chance, decision is made, let’s see what he can do!
April 29th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
I think WaitWhat?? was talking about the coach who was hired before Sancehz.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
Longero, Moreno, Bryan, Ron Thompson, and Walsh must be cracking up right now, shaking their respective heads.
I just spoke with our Head Coach up here and he is laughing his — off about this move by Cal.
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Wynn presents a very unfortunate but quite realistic picture, too bad.
Mad Bear
April 29th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
What a host of jerks on this chat board!
I met our new Coach Bellici and he is a very nice young man. Let him coach our boys to a league championship like he gave us the plan for doing so!
Happy Mom at Cal High
April 29th, 2009 at 3:27 pm
“Longero, Moreno, Bryan, Ron Thompson, and Walsh must be cracking up right now, shaking their respective heads.”
Yeah, they’re probably laughing because none of them probably even applied. But a bunch of idiots, like us, turned it into the naming of the next pope.
April 29th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
I agree with HappyMomatCal.. so easy to sit behind a screen and bash someone that you do not even know.
They said the same things about Tony when he started too…
April 29th, 2009 at 3:53 pm
I have been supporting Cal Griz athletics for many years and for most of that time, I have felt good about my contributions and what they have done for the program at Cal, football, baseball and basketball.
This hire, with all due respect to the young Mr. Bellici makes no sense at all.
My dollars will go elsewhere, this was a major blunder by the Cal high admin.
DonorNoMore
April 29th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Hello Mr. Nails,
You say I am talking out my rear, but back up what you say with truths, can ya?
Where are YOUR Facts about Bellici? What has he ACCOMPLISHED that makes him a better choice than the Proven Head Coaches that applied?
Couple of Bellici backers on here keep saying, Yeah but that’s what everybody said about Sanchez when he was hired several years ago at Cal!
Alrighty then, but WHEN Sanchez was hired, Cal was a DOORMAT program and That would have been the time to hire a Young Coach like Bellici, not NOW for goodness jeebers!
Who in the WORLD on the Cal Interview Committee was Pulling the Strings? Either the Kids or their biggest financial backer? Either way, wrong choice.
And, this breaking news just in from ESPN -
Coach Bergemen of Monte Vista and Kravitz of Rival San Ramon were just seen in downtown Danville streaking buck naked in the center of Hartz Blvd. Each man was wearing a Cal Grizzily Orange football helmet, and both were heard screaming with delight, “Cal blew it, Cal blew it! Oh thank God, Cal choked!’
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Now that some people have defended or crucified Cal’s new Coach Bellici, can we put together a cool and poised list of questions that some people on here might be able to answer without hating Bellici?
1. Who will be his offensive coordinator?
2. Who will be his defensive coordinator? Or will Bellici call the Defense?
3. What coaches are staying at Cal and who is Bellici bringing with him?
4. What will Sean Manuel’s new role be at Cal, now that it is well known he pushed hard for the head job at Cal?
5. With all of that talent at Cal, and it is assumed Cal wants to win the EBAL title, how long will Bellici have to Win the League Title?
These are the questions needing answers.
Wynn
April 29th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
KillerD- as Kyle said, I was talking about the hire before Sanchez.
Looks like so far only somebody’s mother from Cal High approves of the hire.
April 29th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
My goodness people.. His name is spelled Billeci. Good luck to you coach Billeci
April 29th, 2009 at 5:22 pm
I thought this was some type of April Fool’s Prank by the Cal high administration, but nope, this is for real!
Questionable hire at its very, very, very best.
Catastrophic if Cal does not win big games and the title within a couple of years, after telling everybody how much talent and size they spilling over their tanks.
Truman
April 29th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Say what you want,but if this coach wants to run a power offensive attack,then all can say is that 14 power can’t be stopped.Good luck coach.You have three players on the squad that are getting serious D1 looks.
April 29th, 2009 at 6:08 pm
KillerD- “Longero, Moreno, Bryan, Ron Thompson, and Walsh must be cracking up right now, shaking their respective heads.”
Good work Mr. No-it-all “KillerD” for making statements with no evidence at all to back them up. If you don’t know the facts, keep your speculations to yourself because you sound stupid.
He is our coach now, and to all that have nothing better to do other than criticize his abilities before giving him a chance, you should really look at your personal motivations to do so. We are a very strong, deep and talented team this year, and will be for years to come because of the standards we hold OURSELVES to. Sure, the coach runs practice and calls the plays come Friday Night. But, no matter who that coach is, the great teams are all driven by great player leadership and unity towards a common goal.
Give Coach Billici the chance he deserves, our beloved Coach Sanchez proved many people wrong when he took over. Let our actions on the field this year do the talking…
April 29th, 2009 at 6:33 pm
1. Killer D i highly doubt you are a coach at any highschool that matters. No coach would come on here and be such a douchebag. AND if you are a coach i feel bad for your team.
2. Cal Fan i dont know when u played for Cal but there was no 14 power when i played. there was a 14 gap. 14 counter gap and 14 lead. there was a 16 power 0 and a 17 power 0. but i may be wrong it has be 2 or 3 years since i was there.
3. I am not gunna say blah blah blah this guy sucks cause i dont know much about him. besides cal torched his Defense in 08. But i think if Thompson and Manual and Walsh and the guy from Miramonte applied then Cal def made the wrong discesion. but i will let the new coach show it on the field. I hope that i will be let on the sidelines for the games as i am still a cal fan and still plan on attending games on a regular basis.
GO GRIZZ
April 29th, 2009 at 7:26 pm
Billeci is walking into a great situation. He’s a defensive guy, but that Cal team has got a lot of offensive might. They are seriously deep on talent. Multiple quality running backs, both big and fast. Quality O line that also has size and speed. But the power run O might just be for show … the have at least four seriously good receivers (not including the backs) and a big QB with an accurate arm that just might be the best Cal has ever had. These guys ran the ebal table their frosh and soph years, and won convincingly. They had like ten different players score touchdowns when they were together on JV. There are tons of talent on the defensive side of the ball too, and although the linebackers are suspect at this time, a good defensive coach can probably solve that. All Billeci has to do is make sure he lets the team follow the dream they have, motivate them to bring everything they have onto the field, and use all the tools and talents these guys have, and Cal could make the selection committee look like geniuses.
April 29th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
“Longero, Moreno, Bryan, Ron Thompson, Wade, and Walsh” does anybody know if these guys interviewed or showed interest but turned it down because they have no teaching job available. I know some of these old school guys won’t take a job unless they’re on campus.
April 29th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
Nowhere on here can you find me using derogatory terms describing coaches and bad name calling.
I do point out with some humor, coaching discprencies and differences of experience between coaches who have developed successful or respected programs, when comparing unknown coaches without head coaching tenure.
If that bothers some of you, then it does.
And, no, there is no truth, contrary to several reports that tonight all of the veteran EBAL head football coaches are throwing a celebration party at Vic Stewart’s steak house in Walnut Creek. That rumor is false.
The joyful EBAl head coaches dinner celebrating the stumbling, bumbling, mind-numbing, blunderous hire by Cal High is being held at Forbes Mill steak house in Danville, it is much nicer.
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
Umm, are we all aware that this is HIGH SCHOOL we’re talking about??? And a high school, that to my knowledge, isn’t known for producing top athletes. I can’t name a Cal High athlete in baseball, basketball, football that has made much noise the last 10 years. I could be wrong, but I doubt it. Coach will be fine. Good luck out there!!!
April 29th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
The parents and kids in the Cal program although very well intentioned have had way, way, way too much input and say into this entire process.
They were 85-90% of the decision and voice, instead of 10 – 15% that they should have been.
It is not the job of kids and parents to choose leaders of athletic and academic institutions.
It is the job of the administration to select leaders. If Cal believes they should compete for and win the league title virtually every year or at least be within the top two teams, then this is a confusing hire.
It remains to be seen.
IntheKnow
April 29th, 2009 at 8:30 pm
KillerD – get a life.. Cal rocks..Coach Manuel is staying with the team. Cal boys are strong and I am always seeing the MV boys at the gym trying to catch up.
It is not always about the coach. This Cal team has been together for a long time. I am betting on them to kick ass much more than a coach. The coach can’t do it, the kids have to…
April 29th, 2009 at 8:51 pm
Hey WhoKnew,
You are the sterling example of the reason why kids should not be in charge of hiring coaches.
My life is good, sounds like yours is too.
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 9:09 pm
Cal in 2009 predicted schedule results:
Cal vs. ?, winner Cal
Cal vs. ?, winner Cal
Cal vs. ?, winner Cal
Cal vs. De La Salle, winner De La Salle
Cal vs. MV, winner MV
Cal vs. San Ramon, winner SR
Cal vs. Foothill, winner Cal
Cal vs. Amador, winner Cal
Cal vs. Livermore, winner Cal
Cal vs. Granada, winner Cal
So, Cal with incredible talent is looking at either a record of 7-3 or at best 8-2.
Recall that Foothill defeated Cal last year, so Cal in 2009 is capable of slipping on a banana peel and dropping a game accidentally, to maybe who, Granada?
KillerD
April 29th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
I don’t know Billeci, but I do believe Cal High would have done their homework. As for too many people having involvement, I don’t think they have even replaced their athletic director since the clown Albano finally stepped down. For those who are saying he needs to win the EBAL within 2 years or he is a bust – Hello! De La Salle is in this league. If he is able to win the league title within 5 years it would be huge. No one is expecting Cal to win the EBAL title with a new coach and DLS in the league. Give the guy a chance and let’s see what he can do.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:28 pm
And if you think SRV’s Kravitz wants Cal to hire a poor coach, his son plays for the Grizzlies.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:41 pm
Eilleen Mantz is the Cal AD. She’s been on the job for quite awhile now.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I had heard that she was just put in there as an acting AD. I guess she was named unceremoniously. I trust she has done her homework, and am willing to give Billeci a chance to prove himself before casting stones at this guy or the Cal admin. staff. He’s got a lot of work ahead of himself, with the quality of football and coaching in the EBAL.
April 29th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
KillerD, you are just plain stupid.
If you are not aware, the class of 2010 (25W 7L overall) won EBAL our Freshman and JV seasons. The team below us never had a record below 8-2. To call SRV beating us in league is just plain idiotic, they lost Joe and some info from inside the SRV squad- they’re falling apart as a team Then there is Monte Vista which was one play away last year, as was De La Salle.
Now, as you seem to be needing some facts worth ranting about… We are returning 11 starters (6 of which have serious D1 potential), have a running back/corner who has potential to be the best in the league, the best secondary Cal has ever seen, and a stealth quarterback who is going to have a year for the record books. Match that with one of the biggest, fastest, most agile OL/DL’s in the state and you can see how your ridiculous your speculations are getting.
You can’t win the games from the stands KillerD- you should really find something to do more worth your time.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:41 pm
I know Billeci well. He is hardworking, greatly admired by the kids he coaches, and a true football guy. I say with 100 percent confidence that he will be one of the great coaches in the bay area for decades to come. Shame on those of you who write him off without knowing a damn thing about him.
April 29th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
I agree with BigGrizzz
KillerD- you are just idiotic and pissed off cal will be named EBAL champions
April 30th, 2009 at 6:41 am
The one obvious student here is the most articulate blogger. BigGrizz can formulate an argument worth reading. This is a high school sports blog people, not the NFL. I can’t imagine how bad your life is that you get a thrill out of trashing a local public school and the adults who are trying to make a difference in the life of a kid. If we knew who was going to win the championship we wouldn’t need to play the season. Let these kids work hard, let their new coach plan his attack on the EBAL and see what happens. The best part of it all is the thousands of kids involved in high school football whether on the field of in the stands on Friday nights. Without these games at every field, what else would these kids being doing. High School athletics helps to make a community and the City of San Ramon is proud of their student athletes and the adults who all work hard to make the EBAL a success.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:25 am
Cal is not competing for 2nd place just because De La Salle is in the league now.
Cal is expected to win the league title and beat De La Salle within the next couple of years. Due to having the best talent and depth in the league.
Bellici had better win the league or tell me how many kids and parents openly acknowledging how superior our talent is at Cal, will be happy with a string of 2nd or 3rd or even 4th place finishes in league.
Mad Bear
April 30th, 2009 at 8:18 am
Big, deep breath people…
Coach Billeci isn’t Coach Sanchez, but he is a pretty bright guy with a pretty good background. HE WILL DO WELL. He definitely will have a plan. Let the poor guy coach. KillerD, not to call you out, but let him do his thing. It’s this guy’s time. He’s earned it. He’s ready. and Samb… you’re right on, as long as the coaches have what’s best for those kids in mind… there is the occasional coach who is a bit of a self-aggrandizer, but they are relatively few. From what we know, Coach Billeci is a guy who is about the kids.
I would imagine Captain Midline, if I guess correct, knows a thing or two about Coach B and is absolutely correct. So, Coach B if you see this, Congratulations and Good Luck! Oh, and one more thing, the EBAL coaches are way too classy to EVER celebrate someone’s hiring as a victory for them. Those guys are probably trying to get their hands on game film right now to get a plan going… those guys never take ANYTHING for granted. That’s why they’re great coaches and give us some great football to watch.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:19 am
No interest here in bashing a coach who has yet to call his first game as a head coach, but I have posted my questions from Post number 27 again because they have gone unanswered.
1. Who will be his offensive coordinator?
2. Who will be his defensive coordinator? Or will Bellici call the Defense?
3. What coaches are staying at Cal and who is Bellici bringing with him?
4. What will Sean Manuel’s new role be at Cal, now that it is well known he pushed hard for the head job at Cal?
5. With all of that talent at Cal, and it is assumed Cal wants to win the EBAL title, how long will Bellici have to Win the League Title?
Input or opinion anyone?
Wynn
April 30th, 2009 at 9:00 am
Cal fans sure like to tell everybody how amazing, great and ultra talented their frosh and jv programs are! Since when did anybody start calibrating the varsity programs guaranteed success by the wins put up by freshman and jv teams in this league?
You Cal backers are so arrogant and full of yourselves going around telling everyone how good you are and great you will be this year and next!
When some people call your number on here and ask you for facts, you throw a hissy fit and blister them with poisonous barbs.
Griz fans, back up your self-important trumpeting of your talent with an EBAL title, otherwise you hired the wrong coach, and Griz fans will be kissing the Bronze medal again.
MustangFan
April 30th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Hey killerD
I love how you hide behind your fake name… I made up my fake name just for you.
Cal will be fine and we who support Cal High’s football program hope you stay home and continue to read your paper and rant and rave… pretty soon you’ll stroke out and won’t be missed. My guess…. your a Danville resident who lives in a home you can’t afford and are looking for a job cuz you spend way too much time on here.
stop hating and go for a hike cuz your probable fat too.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:33 am
He “earned” it?? Really?? How?? I hear that at least 3 Head Coaches with good records applied. I don’t have an issue with Billeci, my question is how they came up with this selection. How do qualified and experienced head coaches get bypassed? Usually first-timers are given struggling programs to see what they can do. If they do well some will parlay it into a better situation, i.e. Coach Sanchez.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
My guess is that some of the established coaches who were interested probably pulled out due to the issue of a teaching job. So some of the “sexier” names may not have been there at the end. Coach B has earned it in that he is a successful assistant coach, has coordinated a defense, is bright, articulate and has a plan.
Like I said, I’m sure some of the candidates who were interested were not available after they interviewed and had a better grasp of the situation. Let us not forget, it is a high school football head coaching job, albeit in the EBAL, but it does not come with ANY financial perks or protections. This is not the NFL.
I don’t think those other coaches were bypassed, I just don’t think they were there at the end. It’s a lateral move financially and in this climate, a pretty risky one at that. For those other supposed guys who are teachers, it’d be pretty hard to leave a program that you established as successful, come to a new district, be low man on the totem pole and then possibly get pink slipped at the end of the year, regardless if you went 13 – 0. You could keep your coaching job and the annual $3,000 that comes with it, but the piece that allows you to live, your teaching job is gone… try explaining that one to your wife and kids. That’s what some of the “bigger” named coaches would have had to do. No… I’m sure the hiring board at Cal hired the best guy available. And it sounds like they got a good guy… Now let him coach!
April 30th, 2009 at 11:05 am
Eric Billeci is a great coach. I have known him my entire life, and can honestly say he is ready to run his program. He played and started at DLS during their heyday, and played great at St.Marys, even stepping in as FB when they were depleted. Also ran for over 100 yards numerous times, even being a TE. He has coached at Freedom when Borel was there, leading their resurgence there. HIs time at Logan helped him coach with better talent and a larger pool of kids. Tell me this, what do you experts know about him that makes him such a bad hire? Give him a chance! What has he done to disprove? He wins everywhere he goes! Let him do what he needs to do!
April 30th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Wynn-
To answer some of your questions….
1. Who will be his offensive coordinator? — Still up in the air, will be meeting with the staff before any of that is ironed out.
2. Who will be his defensive coordinator? Or will Bellici call the Defense? — Same.
3. What coaches are staying at Cal and who is Bellici bringing with him? — He said he’s got some people in mind who he wants to bring in, but for the most part wants the current staff in place. (Said if it aint broke, don’t fix it …)
4. What will Sean Manuel’s new role be at Cal, now that it is well known he pushed hard for the head job at Cal? — Not exactly sure, but I’d imagine he continues to work with strength and conditioning. He has been the OLine coach (and successful) so look for him to be back there if not a bigger role.
5. With all of that talent at Cal, and it is assumed Cal wants to win the EBAL title, how long will Bellici have to Win the League Title? — It’s high school sports and DLS is in the league. You don’t get fired if you get finish second-to-fifth from year to year. As long as Cal is competitive, I’d assume he’s there for the long haul.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:44 am
Isn’t Cal playing like Grant, Bellevue, & some other good team in the Non-League? If DLS went 2 out of 3 with how good those teams were last year is saying something. Somebody posted that they’re going undefeated in Pre-Season but lose to MV & SR? Just going on last year (which is all you can do right now) MV & SR aren’t better then Grant & Bellevue. Cal with whoever coaching has a tough schedule. Maybe 2nd best in northern California if those are 2 of their non-league teams. Thats why Sanchez is so respected he don’t duck no one.
Point is with that schedule it will be hard to judge the new coaches on wins & losses next year.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Cal is playing Del Oro, Washington and West-Tracy.
Sanchez tried to get Grant, but it didn’t work out. The Del Oro game is part of the Battle at the Capital, four-game set that also has Granite Bay-Pittsburg and two others that I can’t remember off the top of my head right now.
Also, Grant is playing Bellevue.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
No matter who they hired the man would not have done the job that Sanchez and his STAFF would have. To expect anyone to come in and dominate is not bright. So here are the real facts
1) Cal will not win as many games as they should this year.
-it takes a long time for a coach to know the pulse of the kids and even longer if it is a coaches first time steering the ship
-The new coach is used to a couple of lightweights on the schedule, there is no “easy” game on Cal’s schedule. As strong as any coach is, the EBAL is the show. You can’t just have the kids you better have answers, and in the EBAL you need those answers every week. Any one talking about talent prevailing in that league doesn’t know much football.
2)Not as many kids will sign scholarships as they should
-I have read up to 6 Div 1 kids, at best 2 will sign. The new coach has 0 experience with recruitning kids. Not many Logan kids signed and very few coordinators have much input or do much work in the world of recruiting. The new coach will be so busy establishing his program that recruiting will slide to the back burner, and with no real connections from past recruiting successes it will be a tough road.
3)The parents now steer the ship
-NEW AD
-YOUNG HEAD FOOTBALL COACH WITH 0 HEAD COACHING EXPERIENCE
It is about control the parents obviously want it and now the have it.
Why hire the young guy with huge potential..he will give power to parents rather than rock the boat. You think Longero or Wade or Walsh would have asked for input or help or advice…the quick answer is no.
The new coach is a worker and good things happen for workers
April 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Im a returning starting Junior from logan, and coach billechi announced his leaving yesterday. It was a big shock to the team. Cause from my stand point, he was a great coach. He really put all his time in our team, and pushed us past our limits. Im proud of him, and he will do damage for cal. Cant wait for that scrimmage.
Btw.. we had a solid ass defense last year. Only monta vista seeked through, a wake up call. be ready for us next year..
April 30th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Dont worry, it was a good move for cal.
April 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
lol you guys have no idea..just watch when we hit that feild next year you guys are going to be suprised we will win the title next year we have tremedous leadership this year..no matter who the coach us players knw what we have to get done and we will get it done..all of you guys who are doubting us you guys are in for a rude wakening..all this talkin crap about us losing to granada and coming in 4th or 3rd..is bs this is going to be on one of the best seasons that we have had at cal..keep talkin your trash you will see what happens on the field
April 30th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Billeci’s first rookie mistake: Taking the job without a job on campus.
You can’t be king of the mountain when you not sitting on top of the mountain.
April 30th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
Again with name calling because I disagree with you. Petty.
Look at Cal’s non-league games.
Del Oro?
Enrollment of less than 1,700 so Cal SHOULD win this game vs. the Eagles.
Washington? Washington? George Washington?
Cal Wins Big as they did in 2008 vs. the Fremont team that’s a Shadow of its heyday in the late 70′s and 80′s.
West Tracy?
Cal beats the larger school. Kids at West-Tracy are still calling the game Futbol, and not Football.
Bellici’s first nice victory vs. the ketchup school for kids.
So, after all is said and done, Cal will be 7 – 3 or 8 – 2 in 2009.
Nice record, but its odd to read how much talent Cal keeps saying they have, but that its ok to finish 2nd or 3rd or 4th.
Play for the title no excuses. To the joker listing me as fat and living in Danville. I am not fat and own a home in Concord. Go on a walk yourself and cool off.
Finally, breaking news broadcast over 101.7 KKIQ reaching all the way up here and throughout the 680 corridor of EBAL dominance.
“EBAL football coaching legends of the fall were all seen this morning sipping Coffee, Gatorade and chugging Tylenol at Denny’s of Sycamore Ave, after contracting brain-splitting hangovers and nauseating headaches from last night’s celebration boot kicking party at Forbes Mill steak house in Danville. The tab last night with Tip, surpassed an amazing $2,200, including 6 bottles of Opus One and Dom P.”
None of the EBAL coaching legends were available for comment this morning.
April 30th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
While I can appreciate the passion surrounding this topic (66 comments so far), we are talking about Cal high right? In San Ramon? This is far from a dominant program. Folks here are talking about the team and it’s recent history like they are one of the premier teams in the area. The truth is that Cal had a good year in 2007 but finished tied for fourth in the EBAL in 2008. Tied for fourth also equals tied for fifth. Not a strong performance.
The bottom line is that without being able to offer a teaching position, Cal got the best guy available.
April 30th, 2009 at 1:44 pm
It’s not the I agree or disagree with the views of KillerD, but KillerD, can you please stop with your little stories of the EBAL coaches celebrating around town? They just aren’t funny.
April 30th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
I agree with Dale.. if those coaches are celebrating like you say it just proves how low class they are.. the parents do it enough for SRV and MV… the coaches don’t need to join the party.
April 30th, 2009 at 4:14 pm
After listening to Billeci talk to the team for the first time, he definitely sounds like the right guy for the job. He repeatedly said “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” meaning he’s going to continue the same sort of program at Cal. He knows what it means to be a winner, he never lost while playing for DLS, and had some very successful teams at James Logan. He will do fine, and with the talent already on Cal, one can expect great things from Cal in the near future.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Washington Fremont is their non-league? Their schedule is looking pretty solid for a 1st year coach. Washington probably being their toughest game. Lookling like all down grades. Their best opponent this year is probably not as good as their worst last year Las Lomas. Good for Cal. They just need a solid non-league with how good their league is.
April 30th, 2009 at 7:54 pm
KisstheRing who posted his brilliant take in box #61 drilled the screws perfectly – winner!
Now to the reality check again on Bellici’s resume’.
While at Freedom Bellici did a respectable job, but Not a stellar job under Kevin Hartwig. In fact, look closer and Freedom has gotten Better since Bellici left for Logan.
Last three years at Logan, Bellici has accomplished What exactly at Logan?
Logan has gone DOWN a bit, and its the LARGEST school in Northern California with over 4,000 kids at the high school! Coach Fromson did a better job at Logan than the Zuber/Bellici combo, no disprespect.
Seems like Bellici’s selling point to get the job was that old slogan, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Cal did tie for 4th place in 2008 finished with a record of 6-4, then stomped Washington in playoffs, as I mentioned in my prediction for Cal in 2009. Then Cal got beat by a good Pittsburg team from over yonder.
With the 70 posts on this Cal topic some interesting and apparently true things have materialized, plus our own head coach has talked to his established head coaching contacts along the 680/24 freeways, its obvious Cal did Not want a proven head coach to come onboard who was going to disrupt things.
The moral of the Cal head coaching hire appears to be very little different was the call of the day.
Now, I know some of you are waiting for it, and even though Dale and Whoknew do not want to read the latest rumor…………………….well, that’s all for tonight then.
Save that rumor for another day.
KillerD
April 30th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
I appreciate good humor and killerD gets me laughing hard with some of his outlandish and funny sightings and rumors.
People on here should stop trashing Livermore, we’re trying to be good and work hard.
As for Cal’s hire, only the next one or two years will be the real story as it unfolds for better or worse. It does appear to be a quizzical hire however.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Del Oro should be better than Washington next year. DO is normally one of Sac’s best teams and after having a down year last year, they are supposed to be good again next year.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
In Wolf country we are sick and tired of the Cal loudmouths blabbing to everyone about how big and strong and fast their team is, even the young kids coming up through junior leagues are supermen according to Cal players.
A Cal player even scribbled that players at SRV are unhappy and fighting, what a load stink!
If the parents over at Cal are really as out of control nuts and giving orders about who to hire as a football coach then they get what they deserve.
May 1st, 2009 at 9:37 am
For my last words on the new coaching hire of Bellici, its easy to poke at Cal for making this decision, but all in good play.
The choice is of no fault to Bellici, he is young, eager and excited about the challenge.
Two futures are possible for Coach Bellici at Cal.
** The Cal program is jammed with numbers of big strong and athletic kids compared to the other teams in the EBAL, including De La Salle. If true, all Bellici has to do to win at least 8 games each of the next two years is show up and “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.”
Contigency effect(and only the Cal Administration knows if true or not) but, if Griz backers expect and demand a win over De La Salle and the EBAL title, and Bellici delivers within a year or two, the Cal administration and the extremely involved parents will be considered brilliant, and they should be so annointed for their selection of the inexperienced Bellici – relative to his light resume and no head coaching trail at the time of his appointment.
Or, the double asterik criteria above is true, but for any reason at all, the Cal program does not beat De La Salle, and does not win the EBAL title within the next two years, and finishes 3rd or 4th in the league again, despite its declared size and talent advantage.
What then?
Does the Cal admininstration continue to back the still young Bellici at that point? He will be only 31 years old a couple of years from now, with a couple of full seasons under his head coaching belt.
Being truthful to the battle cry of their 2009 hiring of Bellici in his own words, “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it,” what then does Cal do?
If you give the young Bellici, whose relatively thin experience as a defensive coordinator – with moderate results, including at Logan, the largest school in Northern California – the keys to the Cal Griz football kingdom, with the instructions and agreement of, “OK, here you go, don’t break it, and you must beat De La Salle and win the league soon.”
How far do you carry young Bellici if you are Cal?
Two years, three years, four years or ten years?
If the Cal football players know in their own minds and truly believe they SHOULD win the league based on their comradarie and talent – whose Fault is it if they do not succeed even though everybody is saying they should?
1. Bellici’s?
2. The kids?
3. Or, the Cal administration?
This football coach glances down the path, and would not shoulder the blame on Bellici or the kids.
So then, therein rests the answer if Cal does not win.
Good luck to Bellici and Cal, I hope you prove everybody wrong. Go get them!
KillerD
May 1st, 2009 at 10:26 am
why are the blogs so hard to find today?
May 1st, 2009 at 10:51 am
KillerD, I had you pegged wrong, totally.
Nice job, fair and squarely put.
GrizBiz
May 1st, 2009 at 11:11 am
I think everybody has had their say on this topic.
Bonagura, Durkin its obvious the Bay is ready to start talking some Football. Don’t think its too early to Post everyones non-league you guys have. Or even Contact Camps or Passing Tournaments too look out for.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:29 am
I heard about a camp at Encinal. Supposed to be pretty good too.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:27 pm
Jesus. I want to print this page up so I can show it to some of you clowns in a year when Cal blows up the EBAL with their new coach.
KillerD-you said you have 12 years in the concord area and somehow you are an expert on football, the only team in that area worth its salt is De La, and for how much trash you’ve talked on here going on for three consecutive days I know that you don’t coach there. You are probably an athletic trainer for the freshman team at mount diablo so beat it.
PS- at least spell his name right, it is BILLECI.
Also, who cares about the parents? This is high school football, it is between the players and coaches not the mommys and daddys or donors to the school.
I can’t believe this many people have negative opinions based off some of the most ridiculous speculation I’ve ever heard. You are the same ass clowns that will be sitting in the bleachers next year talking about what a good choice Cal made on their coach. Just sit back on your little seat cushions and let the man do his thing. Personally I think he should take over the strength and conditioning program too. Cal has had some decent years recently but they are light years from a dominant program, you guys are talking on here like you win titles every year.
May 1st, 2009 at 4:59 pm
It’s a bit disapoiting reading a lot of these comments. Let’s give the guy break and let him do his job…help our kids win!!! I did a little research on Mr. Billeci’s stay at Logan and they made the palyoffs each year (conference not the best, but they did what they were supposed to do….win). Also, his defense was one of stingiest in the entire bay area. This kid comes from a very good pedigree of football and I’m extremely confident he will flurish in EBAL.
Welcome to
May 1st, 2009 at 5:03 pm
I’ve been to every DLS game in the last 7 years, and seen them at their best and worst.
Even at their lowest and least talented last year DLS was able to win the ebal.
DLS should rebound after dropping the state title game to Centennial. Go Spartans, no matter who Cal Hi’s new coach is, even though he played at DLS, you still got to beat them.
SpartanMania!
May 1st, 2009 at 8:28 pm
This Loyal EBAL reader of everything sports cannot handle the pussy-footing around this issue any longer!
Cal had the great chance to hire amazing and experienced coaches, BUT, they passed and instead chose to GAMBLE the Senior and Junior players future away on an Unproven and Completely ROOOOOOOOKIE head coach in ThIS league!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of the Bloggers on here have showed tremendous restraint in not beating some senase into the Cal high fans, players, coaches and Admininstration about this JOKE of a hire!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It was a 2nd Rate hire at its best, could turn out to be 3rd rate or worse.
Awful choice for Cal high and it’s their fault.
May 1st, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Best dissertation I heard about this Cal blow up was at dinner and a lot of drinks last night with veteran EBAL parents at Cal.
Put Kravits, Sweenney, Bergman, Silva, Sirra, Ladocuer and the Livermore Coach all in the same room, and force them to actually choose the Best coach for Cal High.
Choices Are, Moreno from Dublin, Longero from Las Lomas, Bryan from Piedmont, Wade from Miramonte and Walsh from Serra, and Billeci from James Logan.
Do not let those great coaches out of the room until they pick the number one best coach that will lead Cal to the title championship.
Billeci would have been the very last choice picked from those coaches who have suffered the bruises for years in that league.
Stupid choice.
May 1st, 2009 at 9:18 pm
Nice work BerryMadBear. From your list of coaches that you named, only two actually interviewed and one of them was obviously Billeci. And you spelled just about every coach’s name wrong. So glad you came up with this with veteran EBAL parents at Cal. There are no better experts than parents.
Stupid post.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:59 pm
Cal will be fine.
Adam
May 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 am
I’ve sat back for too long and listened to the “armchair” quarterbacks on this blog. If you think you could do better than Billeci at coaching a high school team or that you know more about hiring a football coach than the staff at Cal High then you either should have applied for the job or found a way to get on the interview committee.
I can’t stand the lack of respect you people have for the work the coaches (Billeci) and the staff that put hours into to making these high school teams successful.
If you think you know more or can do better then get off these blogs and get onto the fields or into the weight rooms with these kids.
All in all remember this – yes winning is great. But I learned just as much from my losing teams as I did from my winning teams. I am a successful person today because I played sports not because I went to State finals in one sport or because in another sport I never won a league title. I still have friends from both teams and I still talk to both coaches 15 years later. Sports is what you make of it and as parents, coaches, administrators or observers it is our job to support kids NO MATTER WHAT THE SITUATION IS. SO STOP with the trash talking and support the kids.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:50 am
Thank God the De La Salle Administration didnt think like most of you guys because they would never had hired Coach Lad
May 2nd, 2009 at 9:11 am
Who cares? Lets get East Bay. Whats the OAL non-league next year? People still gonna dog O-High, Fremont, & Castle out of games even though they balled last year & were 3 of the top 6 most athletic teams in the Bay. My list Best Athletes:1)Pitt 2)Castlemont 3)B-High 4)Fremont 5)S.L. 6)O-high. St. Mary’s still playing O-High after getting thrashed week one? Castle up its non-league so if they run the table they can go to state?
May 2nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Great post SPORTLOVER. You nailed it. Amen.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:01 am
I think people have over-analyzed this decision way too much. The Cal admin had its reasons for picking Billeci and I’m sure they were very legitimate. I think with the talent and leadership in the players on the Cal team, they will do fine. Do I see them beating DLS next year? no. In five years, who know. I do know that Cal, with its great community support and strong core leadership will still be a top team in the East Bay next year.
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:25 am
E.B.A.L.
E – east
B – bay
A – awesome
L – league
Our coaches at AV were surprised by Cal’s new coach pick, and one of them told us Cal did not want anything or as little as possible to change.
That is the main reason for the new coach, he promised to keep things virtually the same.
Does it matter to us at AV? Nope.
Go Dons!
May 2nd, 2009 at 11:55 am
Some of you need to sit back and relax this is out of control. This is not Notre Dame not Usc not Ohio St this is CAL HIGH yes your regular old HIGH SCHOOL, where kids play a game, there not on scholarship the coach won’t be fired if he does not win a championship he will be fine just as any other coach would of been it is HIGH SCHOOL some of these statements i read on here are a joke stop treating this as if it is a BCS school with a national championship on the line
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
OK Killer D post # 66 let’s see if this one fits.
you played sports but were a bench warmer so you had to
develop your mind skills to try to stay friends with the ones who played.
truth be told coaches really don’t like you… fyi
Let remember this is High School and your not in High School anymore. right???
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I think it’s safe to assume that those established coaches we had heard applied, did not. If given the opportunity to go with an experienced and proven coach, I’m sure the committee would have. All these arguments against the guy are based on the assumption that those coaches applied. So let’s not say he’s not the right guy because Walsh would be better. I think he may not fit the part because of his defenses’ less than stellar performances. However, he is young and eager and we all know that that’s the kind of guy you want during these financially tight times.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:57 pm
I think what I’m trying to say is you want someone who’ll put up with the BS and a lot of experienced coaches won’t. But, a young guy, with a lot to prove. Damn skippy, he’ll stick it out.
May 2nd, 2009 at 7:02 pm
Coach you will have the support of the player’s and the parents at Cal.That’s all you need.Go Grizzles
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:19 am
u need support from the school as well as fellow coaches. and from what ive heard there’s at least 2 coaches on the staff last year who are skeptical about the hire.
May 4th, 2009 at 1:28 am
What I don’t get is that if Cal was looking for someone who was going to run things in a similar fashion to Sanchez, why didn’t they hire Sean Manuel?
May 4th, 2009 at 8:16 am
Because as inexperienced as Billeci is, more so is Manuel. That’s all I can think of.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:20 am
What happened to coach Hoefs?Will he be staying with the program?
May 4th, 2009 at 8:12 pm
Word has it Hoefs will stay on as the frosh coach.
May 4th, 2009 at 11:42 pm
i think cal will be a at the top with us and they will end up beating us because as a 2nd string watching everyone else… we will be way overrated… almost as good as last year but who knows..
dls
May 5th, 2009 at 7:55 am
I remember when Tony Sanchez was announced as Head Coach some 5 years ago…..He came in and was fired up and ready to take the program on and produce a consistent winner. At that time, most parents were in a wait and see mode….Well, as a parent of 3 football players at Cal, I am excited that this program is generating so much hype! The kids are great! The faculty is outstanding! The community really rallies around this football team! I really do not care of this “have to beat DeLaSalle” mentality. I am excited to see these young men work hard for a purpose and become better men because if it. That is what a Team sport is all about. They will be competitive and will win more games than they lose…..What they become after they leave Cal is most important!
May 5th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Ok, I will try this one more time.
When Sanchez came in the program and facilities were a wreck. Mind you the kids were big, strong, physical kids. The same kids that are in the youth program now. Around the bay area people knew that Cal was a sleeping giant. And Tony and his STAFF woke that giant and molded it from a group of big, strong , fast , physical kids into a very good football team. ANd even with all that work and time it is a team that went 6-4 last year. And now 5 years later Tony moves on. The parents, kids and administration get together and hire a young guy with no experience who says….I WILL CHANGE AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE. So my question is this:
If the community that surrounds Cal is so full of great athletes, if the youth program is top notch, and the high school program is loaded with Div 1 kids….how come Cal NEVER won before Tony?
My short answer, it takes a coach.
Tony is a great football coach, fire and battle tested before he ever put on an orange shirt. He dragged that program to the forefront with his unique style and methods. You cannot ask a young man who never coached with Tony, to change nothing and be successful.
Coach Bellieci is a hard working coaches’ coach. With 1 win as a DC against ab EBAL team, and like 6 losses.
There are people upset because they feel like the program will step back and a lot of cheered from the outside while Cal and it’s kids built something. We all love the underdog. Who will lead Cal when big and strong aren’t enough? Cal has a long inglorious record of losses with big fast kids on the field running bad plays within barely coherent schemes.
Will the Cal community be happy at 4-6 to 8-2 for the next 10 years with no NCS championship play-off appearences, with great kids who learn the same life lessons I believe are being taught on most fields?
Or do they yearn to become a team that sits and plays on the national stage?
Bellvue, WA
Jenks, OK
Allen, TX
Clovis East, CA
You all were pretty fired up about the Bellvue game. 7-3 teams don’t get those games. But hey good luck against Washington.
May 5th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Does anyone know what the coaching staff will look like next year?
May 5th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I hope that this new coach is ready for hats being thrown at him because it aint gon be easy replacing a guy like sanchez. All i know is this dude has to start winning. and winning now! Good Luck on a hard season
May 5th, 2009 at 11:31 pm
The new coach is in a no-win situation. If he wins, people will say that it was Sanchez’s program that he won with and if he loses, they’ll say he isn’t as good as Sanchez. Yes Sanchez was a good coach, but he was never at Cal High for the long run. He was just establishing himself until a better offer came along and one did and he took it. No shame in taking a better offer in your career, most of us would do it too.
May 6th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Gentlemen:
Ye have little faith.The Cal program is in good hands.
Sean Manuel is highly respected and will keep the continuity in place.
Write this down: Some time in late November,around 9;30-10;00 p.m.Tony Sanchez will be on the field,in the locker room,perhaps coaching his new team,he will look to the north west,he will here a large roar emanating from Concord Ca. where his juniors and seniors, along with last years JV team (that beat an undefeated) De Le Salle team will be victorious and come home as EBAL champs.
Coach Billeci will give credit to Tony,but will have establish himself as the right man for the job.
See ya at the game
Nuthut
May 6th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
where’s chris martin playn next season? heard he’s no longer at o’dowd?
May 6th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
@Grizznut, easy big fella. You do realize that the DLS varsity team that won NCS last year was very young and a lot of those players will be coming back right? It’s not like both JV teams just moved up to varsity and the same lineups will be playing each other again.
May 7th, 2009 at 7:43 pm
Got2go;
You make a good point,but it was a convincing win ,leaving some doubt in the Spartans psyche.
The Grizz will have motivation for the title ,the old coach, the new coach, and those who have written them off..plus they return some top notch players who lost by seven points to one of the best teams in the state..WE HAVE A DREAM.
June 28th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
Cal High should be pretty good next season. I agree that there may be 2 D1A players (Davis a definite and maybe one other.
Until the other programs train and exhibit the dedication of the DLS program, you might see one win every 10-15 years against a down Spartan team. I’ve followed most of the top programs in northern CA and none are close in terms of work ethic
The EBAL is however second to none in the state on offense. Defense has alot to be desired. Offense won’t defeat the Spartans. Defense is the only way. Look at Palma and Clayton Valley a few years ago that came close. Defense kept them in the games.
Cal, MV and Foothill will be shooting for #2…with none advancing to the state bowl. Even if you win a game in league against the Spartans, it will be almost impossible defeating them twice. Actually I think a defensive minded coach like Billeci is the best choice in this league. Hopefully the rest of the league will move up a level with the Spartans in the legue. It will take this to defeat them. The Spartans work out every day except for Sundays.
June 29th, 2009 at 3:56 pm
First, apologies in advance for the length of this post. I am attempting to respond to various points made here and am also not known for my brevity when writing
This has been an interesting thread to say the least.
All of the speculation on what coaches applied and who didn’t get hired is just that; speculation. People are making an awful lot of assumptions about this and writing as if their assumptions are facts. Well, they are not facts; they are opinions and while everyone is entitled to them; I never quite understand the vitriol used to espouse them. As for Longero, Moreno, Bryan, Ron Thompson, and Walsh, no one here knows if they interviewed for the CHS coaching position or not. Did Coach Billeci “earn” his spot? Well, yes, he did. He has been coaching for some time and applied for the position. The people doing the hiring decided that he was the man for the job, be that parents, administration or whomever was ultimately in charge. Again, we don’t know who all applied. We don’t know if there were limitations on the opportunity as far as on-campus position availability or who was willing to accept the job given whatever limitations were there. We don’t know who was interviewed or offered the spot. Bottom-line is that this is all speculation and frankly, mostly unfair speculation at that.
Calling Billeci an “average defensive mind” is also a bit unfair. First, unless someone posting here has sat down and discussed defensive theory with him, they are in no position to say one way or another. His teams at Logan gave up an average of 14 and 12 in the past two seasons. In my experience, that’s not bad.
It’s been pointed out that hiring a young, inexperienced coach now is different than when CHS hired Sanchez several years ago (because of the recent success at CHS). I don’t disagree with that but I also don’t automatically believe that this is a bad hire. We won’t really be able to assess this for a couple of years.
Some of you are dismissing the fact that this young man played at De La Salle and I believe that’s a mistake. He’s been a part of what is considered to be one of the best programs in the country. Unless he’s a complete dolt, I’m guessing he’s developed some thoughts about how things should be done in a successful program.
Several folks have bemoaned the fact that the new coach won’t be on campus. I’m not sure if that is actually true. I’ve read nothing that says he will or won’t be an on campus coach. And for those arguing for Sean Manuel; from what I have been able to research, he is not on campus either. As for him being required to keep all of the assistant coaches at CHS; Coach Sanchez had three brothers as assistant coaches and several others who played with him at Granada or in college. With the exception on Manual and Hoefs, I’m guessing that most of the coaching staff will be moving on.
For the posters commenting on other EBAL coaches; do you seriously believe that they are all giddy about this selection? My experience is that most coaches don’t concern themselves with other coaches until they have to get ready to play them. There was an interesting question about hiring untested, young coaches who turn out to be a great fit. I suppose the best thing to do would be to ask Coaches Ladoucer, Sweeney, Stockberger, Sira, etc. I know three of these men personally and can say with confidence that none of them would be so foolish as to “laugh his — off.” If there is a head coach anywhere doing that then I would submit that this is a coach who has better things to worry about.
Some of the adult posters here really need to take a step back and realize that they are getting into arguments with kids. Is it really that vital to talk smack to a kid?
To DonorNoMore – do you honestly base your charitable contributions based on the success or lack of success of a school’s athletic program? Do you have such a need to live through others? Sad.
To KillerD – your attempts at humor are certainly part of your first amendment rights. That said, they do qualify as attempts only. And considering the audience involved here (kids who attend the schools involved) at best they could be called in poor taste. You ended up writing “For my last words on the new coaching hire of Bellici, its easy to poke at Cal for making this decision, but all in good play.” If I can paraphrase –I know I’m being a jerk, but I’m just teasing. I’m sure you realize that most people don’t enjoy being the butt of someone’s jokes. But you do it regardless as it makes you feel good somehow. Yes, I know you have every right to make your little jokes and you can (and I’m sure will) continue to do so. That said it seems to me that it doesn’t exactly qualify as what most people would consider optimal adult behavior.
To Wynn – you had some questions and I believe most were answered by others posting here. I don’t think anyone knows yet who Billeci will bring in as OC/DC. I mentioned earlier about the existing staff and my belief that many will be moving on, especially given their personal ties to Coach Sanchez. It was your final question that took me aback a little bit. “… how long will Billeci have to Win the League Title?” This is high school football we are talking about here, not the NFL. I would hope that at any ANY high school, there would be no timeline to “win the league title”. Success is (and should) be measured differently at different levels of competition. To try to put an ultimatum on when a team wins a league title at the high school level is outrageous and should never be a qualification.
To Silly Bears – is it really “catastrophic if Cal does not win big games and the title within a couple of years?” Again, this is HS football we are talking about here. The only catastrophe that can ever happen is a serious injury to a young athlete.
To the Cal High Supporters (meaning the kids) – I’m reading an awful lot of talk on here. I know it’s fashion today to talk smack and go back and forth with your opponents. And in the end, it seems not to make a huge difference down the road. But I know that as a coach, I try to teach respect and humility to my players. Confidence is a great thing. Quiet confidence is even better.
To Kiss the Ring – some interesting assertions (and sorry – they don’t qualify as “real facts”)
1) Cal will not win as many games as they should this year.
First, as I mentioned, this isn’t a “fact”. Second, strong arguments can be made that CHS did not win as many games as they should have last year. Some would argue that DLS did not win as many games as they should have last year. The “fact” is that most schools don’t win as many games as they “should” have. It’s a specious argument.
2) The new coach is used to a couple of lightweights on the schedule.
I have a feeling that the coach is aware of the level of talent in the EBAL. Why do you assume that he’s not aware of it, or unable to handle it? As many other posters have said; give the man a chance.
3) Not as many kids will sign scholarships as they should.
You read a post from a kid, who is part of the team, saying that up to 6 D1 kids are possible. From my discussions with Coach Sanchez after last season, I seriously doubt that number is accurate. You assume that the new coach “has 0 experience with recruiting and that few Logan kids signed.” While at Logan, Rashad Evans received offers from Cal, Georgia Tech, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and Fresno State. I know that in my early coaching career that I was definitely involved in recruitment of my kids regardless of not being a head coach. Additionally, Coach Billeci played college ball himself. You claim he will “let recruiting slide to the back burner and with no real connections from past recruiting successes it will be a tough road.” Again, not a fact but rather your negative opinion. Remember he played for Bob Ladoucer. That connection alone puts him in touch with every college in the country.
4) If the community that surrounds Cal is so full of great athletes, if the youth program is top notch, and the high school program is loaded with Div 1 kids….how come Cal NEVER won before Tony?
First off, although indeed rare, there were a couple of successful seasons. That said, there are a number of reasons why CHS lost more often than not. One you actually cited; Coach Sanchez was the real deal. At first CHS was a small school in a big league. When the HS first played varsity, the enrollment was around 600. The next smallest school was Dublin who was at about 1,200 at the time. This made it difficult for CHS to win, and additionally (I believe this to be just as important) actually set the precedent for not winning. As I mentioned, there were a couple of bright spots through the years, but they were far and few between. As time moved on and the enrollment at CHS came more in line with the rest of the league, they were naturally a little more successful. But they still have to rid themselves of the losing mentality. That is where Coach Sanchez made his biggest impact. If Coach Belleci can continue on this path, he will be successful. If he doesn’t, then he will not – it’s as simple as that.
To BerryMadBear: You wrote that the “Best dissertation I heard about this Cal blow up was at dinner and a lot of drinks last night with veteran EBAL parents at Cal.” I have no doubt that lots of drinks were involved. As a veteran HS Coach with league and state championships under his belt, I will offer MY comments regarding your hypothetical choosing of the “best” coach:
Bryan – No way. He is the biggest self promoter I have ever had the displeasure to meet. His only real concern is to become famous for the A-11 offense.
Moreno –He’s been a bit of a job hopper and has left at least one job under less than optimum circumstances. I’m not certain that he has his kids’ best interest at heart.
Longero/Wade/Walsh – Loads of respect for each of these coaches. That said, I don’t believe any of them applied for the spot.
So from your list, all things being equal, Belleci would have been my 4th choice out of 7. But once again, CHS hired under whatever their limitations were from those that applied. Hardly a “stupid choice.”
To Sportlover: Thank you for pointing out something that EVERY parent and student should remember – “… I learned just as much from my losing teams as I did from my winning teams.”
To NorCalSportsFan: You are spot on with your comment – “Until the other programs train and exhibit the dedication of the DLS program, you might see one win every 10-15 years against a down Spartan team.”
To me, the interesting thing to watch at DLS will be very similar to all this discussion. What effect will Coach Lad stepping down have on the program? It will be interesting to watch when that takes place in the next few years.
As a coach myself I am always interested in people’s perceptions of what is important and what makes a good coach. There are an awful lot of folks who like to portray themselves as “experts” who have never actually coached at the HS level. It seems there is hardly a shortage of those folks on this thread. I’m hoping the CHS parents and kids give this young man a chance. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed or to fail on their own merits. No need to tear him down before he’s even been able to get started.
July 2nd, 2009 at 4:10 pm
How did Cal do in their 7-7 against Las Lomas?
July 20th, 2009 at 5:02 am
[...] Logan coordinator Eric Billeci named Cal High football coach … [...]
July 27th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
Billeci is Cal’s OC. Everyone here is saying it will help the team having a defensive minded guy. But I think he might be a better offensive minded guy. He runs a high school offense well.
A lot of people are not giving ANYBODY a chance on here. Its not all about who is the biggest or strongest. It helps to be but its more about if you really believe in yourselves. Cal High does not have 6 DIA players. But, thats not what its about. Its about the team and how well they play as one.
The Cal High players are not trying to be cocky. They are just excited about this season. I’m just glad that there’s a lot of excitement about Cal High now. A few years back it would’ve never been like this. I hope everyone who has posted or read these comes and watches EBAL football this year. It will be exciting like every year.
September 22nd, 2009 at 12:00 pm
cal fan Says:
April 30th, 2009 at 12:50 pm
lol you guys have no idea..just watch when we hit that feild next year you guys are going to be suprised we will win the title next year we have tremedous leadership this year..no matter who the coach us players knw what we have to get done and we will get it done..all of you guys who are doubting us you guys are in for a rude wakening..all this talkin crap about us losing to granada and coming in 4th or 3rd..is bs this is going to be on one of the best seasons that we have had at cal..keep talkin your trash you will see what happens on the field
thought it might be fun to revisit all of these posts after the 1-2 start by the team that according to some was destined to be league champs this year!
March 16th, 2010 at 4:52 pm
KillerD sounds like the loud mouth Brian Hamilton at Concord HS. Always running his mouth. Prideful and arrogant…complete shi* sandwich.