77-year old Frank Negri Resigns from Natomas

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After 248 wins, Frank Negri has decided to hang up the whistle...or maybe not.

Negri resigned earlier this month after three years as the head coach of Natomas.  The 77-year old Negri went 6-5 in his first year at Natomas, but fell to 4-6 in 2010 before going winless last year.

According to a published report today in the Sacramento Bee, Negri, who coached 42 years at Foothill, says he's still interested in being a head coach...not retiring.

Kunau Out as Head Football Coach at Orange Lutheran

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After 19-years of leading Orange Lutheran, Jim Kunau is out as its head coach.

School officials have announced that the school is beginning a national search for its replacement for Kunau, who will remain at the school to help students with college recruiting.

OL was 182-52-3 under Kunau, making the playoffs in 16 of his 19 years.  Kunau led Orange Lutheran to the Division II state championship in 2006.

The removal of Kunau as head coach comes after the school missed the playoffs the past two years with an overall record of 17-14.

Santa Margarita Head Football Coach Harry Welch Won't Be Charged

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Charges will not be filed against Santa Margarita Catholic High School football coach Harry Welch following an investigation by the Orange County Sheriff's Department into an allegation that Welch pushed or shoved a player in December.

The announcement that charges would be filed was made on Thursday, however, Welch remains on administrative leave while school officials conduct their own investigation.

Last season, Welch led Santa Margarita to the Division 1 state title with a 42-37 win over Bellarmine.  It was Welch's third state title, all with different schools.

In 2006, Welch, who's been a high school coach for over 40 years, led Canyon Country Canyon to the Division I title.  In 2008, Welch did it again, leading San Juan Capistrano St. Margaret's to the Small Schools championship.

I two years, Welch has resurrected the Santa Margarita program with 22 wins in 27 games.  Prior to his arrival, Welch had only won six games in two years.

Many expect Santa Margarita to make noise on the national stage in 2012 because of the return of nine starters on offense, including senior-to-be quarterback Johnny Stanton.

Carson Hires New Head Football Coach

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Mater Dei grad Jimmy Nolan has been tapped to lead Carson during the 2012 high school football season.

Nolan, who spent the last two years as Centennial's head coach, takes over for Elijah Asante, who resigned after leading Carson to back-to-back L.A. City Section championship games to take the head coaching job at St. Paul.

Nolan led Centennial to a 14-10 record.  His overall head coaching record is 28-31 with stops at Cantwell, Centennial, Compton and Laguna Beach.

Santa Margarita Head Football Coach Placed on Administrative Leave

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

Santa Margarita Catholic High School football coach Harry Welch has been placed on administrative leave while officials look into an allegation that Welch pushed or shoved a player in December.  

Last season, Welch led Santa Margarita to the Division 1 state title with a 42-37 win over Bellarmine. Welch's became the only head coach to win three state titles with three different schools. 

LA-area Coaching Changes

by Jeff Fisher
High School Football America

After 12 years as the head football coach at Bonita High School, Eric Podley has resigned.

It didn't take the school long to name a replacement though, as special teams coordinator Adrian Medrano has been elevated to head coach.  Last season, the Bearcats finished 6-5.

Hacienda Heights Wilson head coach Bob Burt is stepping down after one season.  Assistant Nick Christos has been named as the school's new head coach.  The team finished 1-9 in 2011.

The third coaching coach is at Covina High School, where Darryl Thomas is stepping-down after 15 seasons.  Thomas led Covina to an overall record of 103-70 with his teams making the playoffs in eleven of those years.