It's the most high-profile coaching job -- boys or girls, any sport -- in the Central Section.
No where is there more glamour and reward, and it has flowed with eight section titles since 1985. No where is there more scrutiny. And no where is there more pressure.
To coach Clovis West football -- what a wonderful pain in the butt. Is there a better way to put it?
Says Coby Lindsey, a Golden Eagles graduate and longtime assistant, and, oh by the way, the program's fourth head coach in four years: "I thought it would be a little more seamless. I thought the players would respond a little more blindly, more trustworthy. But, it's
like, 'Well, you're our fourth coach, we want to see.' It's not a personal thing, but it's been an interesting process."
Bakersfield High is the winningest program in the state and is one of the older schools in the valley. It has won more section titles than any other program in the state. How can you say unequivocally that CW is the premier program?
How many coaches has BHS had in its 100+ year history?
Justin,
Your questions are well taken, given Bakersfield's history. But, if you noticed, my reference was since 1985. And no program in the Central Section has been as successful as Clovis West during this period.
But, since you asked, this is how I would rank the section's premier programs today:
1. Clovis East; 2. Clovis West; 3. Bakersfield.
And I say this when Tim Murphy is in charge at Clovis East. He took this year off, but the Timberwolves had been the strongest program of the decade. He'll be back next season.
Paul Golla has not been at Bakersfield High but 5 years. You think Murphy is that much better than him?
He coached in Texas and in Burroughs (in southern Kern County) before that...and won Southern Section titles.
That's a legitimate question, Justin.
There's no question Paul Golla is one of the finest coaches in the section.
I like several things about him, one of which is self-serving: He's a great and willing interview.
I like the way players play hard for him.
And I like the way he adjusts to his skill level and produces with it all. I mean, he beat Clovis West for the 2007 D-I title with a 5-foot-6 quarterback, Peter Mitchell.