Santa Margarita picks Welch to revive program

SANTA MARGARITA - Calling this opportunity "the appropriate challenge" for him, Harry Welch became the new football coach at Santa Margarita High on Thursday.

Welch spent the previous three seasons coaching at St. Margaret's.

One of the factors that attracted to the opening was the challenge of coaching against the level of coaches in the Trinity League.

"There's the challenge of coaching in the Trinity League against five of the best football coaches in California and by extension, arguably the best football league in America," Welch said. "I'm stepping into this fraternity...Jason Negro going over to St. John Bosco, Jim Hartigan (JSerra) who started this program, Jim Kunau, who is so respected and admired as a man and a coach.

"Troy Thomas (Servite), who I consider a personal friend, and Bruce Rollinson (Mater Dei). ...You have some of the most interesting, charismatic, but technically sound coaches, and to be in that group and to take the young men of Santa Margarita against them is exciting."

Before coaching at St. Margaret's, Welch led Canyon High of Canyon Country to five CIF titles and a state championship.

Welch replaces Mike Jacot, who resigned in December but will stay on as the school's first strength and conditioning coach.

Welch led the Tartans to three CIF titles and a state title.

"I had a great run at St. Margaret's, I loved it there," Welch said. "It was an experience that I will treasure. Now, it is time to go to another level. It is a new challenge, new excitement."

Welch takes over a Santa Margarita program that has gone 11-19 in the previous three seasons, after going 10-3 in 2006.

Santa Margarita principal Ray Dunne believes the program has the right person in charge to start the turnaround.

"We are proud to have him as our coach," Dunne said. "The selection committee was extremely impressed and the way we feel that he will fit right into our community.

"For us, not only being a winner on the football field is important, but a winner in life, and Harry Welch certainly fits that category."

Mission Viejo coach Bob Johnson also interviewed for the position.

Welch said that he will meet with the players Friday.

"I'm looking forward to meeting them and they can size me up," he said.

Welch will likely hit the ground running, catching up to his league counterparts.

"We're two months behind," he said. "Most of the teams have been working hard since the end of their season, even the ones that went further into the season.

"The Eagles have been shut down since the middle of November with not a lot of strength and football conditioning taking place. They've been waiting for the direction that they were going to go. I think they are ready. I'm ready and I believe that their families are, too."