Irvine’s Tom Ricci named LA Chargers Orange County football coach of the week

Irvine football coach Tom Ricci talks with Irvine quarterback Joseph Tierney during a game last season. (Photo: OC Sports Zone, Fernando M. Donado).

Irvine High School football coach Tom Ricci was honored this week as Los Angeles Chargers CIF Orange County Coach of the Week.

Ricci said the program will use the $1,000 award from the Chargers to buy another headset for the varsity staff.

Ricci, now in his fourth season with Irvine, said he was honored about receiving the award. Several other Orange County coaches were nominated.

“I’m humbled by the outpouring of support,” Ricci said Friday.  “Obviously a program doesn’t run with just a head coach. It requires a great staff, great boosters, great admin and above all great student athletes. I’m blessed to have all of the above.  Like everyone says, ‘it takes a village.’

“I share the award with all of these people who make it happen.”

Ricci, who was head coach at Savanna for two years before moving to Irvine, has led Irvine to two consecutive league championships.

“My favorite part of coaching is watching players develop year over year,” Ricci said. “Even when they grow up, I love it when they come back and tell me what they have accomplished.  I love to see the development. Living here in the community makes it even more fun to watch.  We are like family.”

Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis, a former coach at Irvine, praised Ricci’s accomplishments.

“Proud of Coach Ricci; carrying on the Vaquero tradition,” Curtis said on Twitter. “Always a student of the game. We always knew that he would be a great coach.”

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