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Long takes over Hoover football
Football: Former Western Christian coach takes over Tornadoes reins just before spring ball.
By Grant Gordon
GLENDALE — A new chapter in Hoover High football was officially opened on Tuesday afternoon, as Chris Long became the Tornadoes head football coach.
“How do you create that buzz?” was one of Hoover Principal Kevin Welsh’s biggest concerns when interviewing potential candidates. “Chris had great responses.
“We felt, without a doubt, he was a great match for Hoover High football.”
Those responses included not just improving the Hoover program on the field, but recruiting players from on campus, getting parents and the student body more involved and fundraising.
“It starts with our attitude,” said Long, 34, of what needs to change for the program to be turned in the right direction. “It’s going to be a big change, it’s going to be a process.”
In the end, Long’s football knowledge and plans for the future of Hoover football led to the panel of Welsh, Assistant Principal Bill Sterling, Athletic Director Jack Van Patten and Assistant Supt. Richard Sheehan to make the decision.
Long leaves behind a 7-13 mark as the head coach at Western Christian the past two seasons. Before that he was a defensive coordinator at Basset.
His coaching career also saw a stint at Arcadia under Coach Jon Dimalante.
“I’m one of his disciples,” Long said.
He succeeds Dennis Hughes, who was dismissed on Jan. 29, after coaching the team from 2000-2004 in a second stint with the program. During his first stint, the Tornadoes went to the playoffs in 1987 — it was the last time the team made it to the postseason or had a winning record. Hoover has lost 19 of its last 20 games, including an 0-10 campaign in 2007.
But Long does not appear to be deterred at what he knows will be a rebuilding process that can not happen over night.
“There’s a great possibility it might take a while,” Long said. “There’s a lot of change to be made, not just the football players, but the school, as well.”
Characterizing himself as a defensive-minded coach, Long will bring a 4-3 Cover 2 scheme to the Tornadoes.
Offense will see the biggest change, as Hoover’s double-wing running offense will transform into a no-huddle spread offense out of a shotgun set.
Long, who played linebacker in college at Eastern Michigan, lost just five games in his four years of high school at Serra, where he was part of a CIF championship squad in 1989. He said he still remembers the losses and it’s a lesson he wants to bring to the Tornadoes.
“One of the slogans I have is 48 minutes to win and the rest of your life to think about it,” he said.
There are still some questions as to who will help him carry out his message.
Former Arcadia defensive coordinator Andrew Policky has been hired on, while Long has also kept a few Hoover holdovers on staff. He said he still has some vacant positions to fill, though.
The team will be introduced to him for the first time on Thursday.
From there, spring practice begins on Monday. Long will join the school staff in the fall as a physical education teacher.
Welsh’s hopes are that Hoover can be a, “tough, well-coached” squad that, above all else, “is competitive.”
Said Long: “Our first goal is to get these kids to compete.”
“How do you create that buzz?” was one of Hoover Principal Kevin Welsh’s biggest concerns when interviewing potential candidates. “Chris had great responses.
“We felt, without a doubt, he was a great match for Hoover High football.”
Those responses included not just improving the Hoover program on the field, but recruiting players from on campus, getting parents and the student body more involved and fundraising.
“It starts with our attitude,” said Long, 34, of what needs to change for the program to be turned in the right direction. “It’s going to be a big change, it’s going to be a process.”
In the end, Long’s football knowledge and plans for the future of Hoover football led to the panel of Welsh, Assistant Principal Bill Sterling, Athletic Director Jack Van Patten and Assistant Supt. Richard Sheehan to make the decision.
Long leaves behind a 7-13 mark as the head coach at Western Christian the past two seasons. Before that he was a defensive coordinator at Basset.
His coaching career also saw a stint at Arcadia under Coach Jon Dimalante.
“I’m one of his disciples,” Long said.
He succeeds Dennis Hughes, who was dismissed on Jan. 29, after coaching the team from 2000-2004 in a second stint with the program. During his first stint, the Tornadoes went to the playoffs in 1987 — it was the last time the team made it to the postseason or had a winning record. Hoover has lost 19 of its last 20 games, including an 0-10 campaign in 2007.
But Long does not appear to be deterred at what he knows will be a rebuilding process that can not happen over night.
“There’s a great possibility it might take a while,” Long said. “There’s a lot of change to be made, not just the football players, but the school, as well.”
Characterizing himself as a defensive-minded coach, Long will bring a 4-3 Cover 2 scheme to the Tornadoes.
Offense will see the biggest change, as Hoover’s double-wing running offense will transform into a no-huddle spread offense out of a shotgun set.
Long, who played linebacker in college at Eastern Michigan, lost just five games in his four years of high school at Serra, where he was part of a CIF championship squad in 1989. He said he still remembers the losses and it’s a lesson he wants to bring to the Tornadoes.
“One of the slogans I have is 48 minutes to win and the rest of your life to think about it,” he said.
There are still some questions as to who will help him carry out his message.
Former Arcadia defensive coordinator Andrew Policky has been hired on, while Long has also kept a few Hoover holdovers on staff. He said he still has some vacant positions to fill, though.
The team will be introduced to him for the first time on Thursday.
From there, spring practice begins on Monday. Long will join the school staff in the fall as a physical education teacher.
Welsh’s hopes are that Hoover can be a, “tough, well-coached” squad that, above all else, “is competitive.”
Said Long: “Our first goal is to get these kids to compete.”
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