Football: A City Section coach making a difference

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If there’s any coach who deserves a 10-year contract, it’s Lorenzo Hernandez of Los Angeles Garfield. From his assistant coaches to his players, everyone displays class and respect.

Thanks to his leadership, Garfield has become a competitive City Section Division I team even with its 44-14 loss to Woodland Hills Taft on Thursday. He’s the one who chose to put his team in Division I, asking everyone to raise expectations, and slowly the Bulldogs are getting there.

Their lineup was full of juniors, and they just couldn’t handle Taft’s superior speed. But behind the scenes is what’s so impressive.

I sat in the stands next to the Taft press box much of the game, and to see former players and freshman-sophomore players coming up to the assistant coaches, respectfully shaking their hands, and the lack of profanity coming from the fans, was so refreshing.

I can only conclude that Hernandez and his assistants are teaching lessons to last far beyond the football field, and that’s someone Garfield needs to keep for years to come.

-- Eric Sondheimer