Irvine football coaching legend Terry Henigan takes part in pre-game coin toss

Terry Henigan (left) and Tom Ricci Sr. took part in the coin toss before Friday’s Irvine vs. Portola game. (Photo courtesy Jim Tomlin).

Former legendary Irvine High School football coach Terry Henigan took part in the coin toss Friday night before the Irvine vs. Portola game at Irvine Stadium and was joined by former Vaquero offensive coordinator Tom Ricci, father of current coach Tom Ricci.

“We had a special Vaquero Football minted coin that we gave to him (Henigan) for the toss,” Coach Ricci said Monday.

“We presented it to him later. My dad was Coach Henigan’s offensive coordinator on and off through the 90’s.  Coach Henigan means everything to our program and to me personally.

“I know a bunch of our 80’s and 90’s alumni feel the same way.  He put us on the map.  It’s my job to make sure we stay there.  It was really special to have the two men who have made such an impact in my life be out there for the coin toss.”

Henigan, who retired after the 2009 season, is fondly remembered for creating the Irvine football family during his 29-year run at the school. He left with a 192-126-6 record at Irvine and led the Vaqueros to CIF titles in 1991, 1992, 1993 and 2000. The Vaqueros also had six league titles in that span and went to the CIF finals five times.

Those who played for Henigan admired his coaching ability and how he helped players, not only during their playing days, but in their lives ahead.

Henigan was also honored by former Irvine coach Erik Terry in 2018.

Irvine rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat Portola 31-10 Friday night.

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