Coach Kevin Hettig leads Corona del Mar into its season opener Friday night. (Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).
Corona del Mar High School officials didn’t have to look too far to find a new head varsity football coach.
They turned to associate head coach Kevin Hettig, long-time assistant coach to Dan O’Shea, who was named St. Margaret’s head coach in December.
Hettig was CdM’s offensive coordinator since 2011 and associate head coach since 2015. Before that Hettig coached at Trabuco Hills with O’Shea from 2006 to 2010.
Hettig, 41, was surprised when O’Shea took the head coaching job at St. Margaret’s.
“Danny is one of my best friends in the world and that one actually got me by surprise a little bit too,” Hettig said.
But Hettig was thrilled to get the CdM head job and said the transition has been smooth and his players have adapted well.
“The staff is consistent, we have one or two changes,” Hettig said. “I will put our staff up against anybody in Orange County or anywhere else. Our kids are amazing, they’ve embraced it.
“The format and the flow of practices and how we do things hasn’t changed much, little changes here or there, but it’s been really, really good.”
Corona del Mar was 9-4 overall last year, advancing to the semifinal round of the CIF Division 3 playoffs before losing to eventual champion Yorba Linda.
Hettig has been a big part of CdM’s success.
Hettig played a key role in helping CdM win the CIF Division 3 title in 2019. The Sea Kings defeated Grace Brethren. Then, the Sea Kings went on to capture the state title to finish a 16-0 season.
“Our goal never changes, our goal is play in 16 games,” Hettig said. “Our goal is to win every snap. But most importantly our goal has been, and will continue to be the goal, is to provide a great experience for these kids that we’re so lucky to coach.”
Hettig is looking for his team to be competitive again in the rugged Sunset League. It will likely be the last year of the league due to the CIF realignment for Orange County football beginning in 2024. The very top division will be a four-team league, which could include CdM.
“It’s going to be tough, our league is phenomenal and it’s so well coached with such great kids, I’m going to be sad to see this league go when they change the format because I think this is one of the best leagues in high school football,” Hettig said.
“We’re in the mix (for new league in 2024). It kind of depends on how we do against Edison and San Clemente if they’re taking the top four up like they’re talking about. There’s no game off (this year) including our pre-season.”
Hettig shared his excitement with CdM supporters when he was named the head coach in December.
“CdM is the greatest school at which to coach. The kids are focused and hardworking,
the parental and community support unparalleled. We have a great nucleus of returning players and some great up and coming talent.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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