Football: It’s the era of the walk-on coach

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Schools used to despise hiring walk-on coaches to direct their football programs. Those without a teaching credential had little chance of becoming the head coach.

Those days are over. It’s now a positive to be a walk-on coach, because many schools have no teaching position available and want someone with a flexible schedule.

Carson, Washington, Sylmar and Gardena have all recently hired walk-on coaches. Taft’s Chris Rizzo has to commute from a teaching position at L.A. Jordan. Even Southern Section schools are looking at walk-ons.

La Canada is seeking a new coach but doesn’t have a teaching position.

It’s definitely a different time in coaching.

-- Eric Sondheimer