‘Feels like home’ Irvine’s new football coach Tom Ricci says after Vaqueros’ opener

Irvine Coach Tom Ricci made his debut Friday night leading the Vaqueros. (Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin, For OC Sports Zone)

It was an emotional night Friday for Irvine High’s new head football coach Tom Ricci.

Ricci was back at Irvine coaching his new team at his alma mater and supported by many friends and family, including his father Tom, who gave him a big hug after the Vaqueros fell to Canyon 37-28 in the season opener Friday at Irvine Stadium.

“It was totally surreal,” Ricci said Monday.  “My dad drove down from Vegas to surprise me. Our family friend Bill Sanches, the man responsible for signing me up in Junior All American back in 1982, also came to support. 

“Fifteen or so friends of mine from the class of 1988 also came to support, which was awesome. Being here just feels like…home. I can’t explain it better than that.  (We) just need to win some football games now.”

Irvine (0-1) will take on Sunny Hills (0-1) Friday at 7 p.m. at Irvine Stadium.   

“Sunny Hills looks tough,” Ricci said. “They beat Irvine 49-21 last year so we expect a good game.  They run the Wing-T so it should be a smash mouth, in the trenches kind of game.  We are hoping to fix our mistakes from last week and continue to improve. They are coming off a game where they lost in the last few plays, so I’m sure they will be hungry.  It should be a good game.”

The Lancers are coming off a 36-35 loss to Aliso Niguel in the final minute last week.

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com