New Saddleback coach Glenn Campbell eager to lead Roadrunners in practice Monday

Saddleback players celebrate after a touchdown last season. (File photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Saddleback High School’s first-year head coach Glenn Campbell is planning to meet with his varsity football players in person for the first time Monday when the Roadrunners begin off-season conditioning drills under health and safety guidelines.

Campbell, the former Saddleback standout, was named the new coach in March, the same month that the coronavirus pandemic struck and high school sports were put on hold.

During that time, Campbell, a former Tesoro High assistant coach, was in contact with Saddleback players and other coaches in Zoom meetings.

Now, he and the other coaches, following guidelines by the Santa Ana Unified School District, will be able to conduct workouts as teams begin to plan for a tentative start in January 2021.

“I know I’m excited, I know the kids are champing at the bit to get started, it’s a new season and I think they’re excited to show how they feel they’re going to be this year,” Campbell said in a telephone interview Thursday.

Campbell admits “it’s very difficult” getting ready for the season, not just because of the coronavirus pandemic, but because of learning about the duties that come with being a head coach.

“Me being a first-time head coach, everything is still new to me,” he said. “Even though the pandemic has stopped us from personally being together, the challenges on the back-end still goes on. I’m learning how the back end of being a head coach works as far as dealing with the administration, the district, the staff and getting the clerical issues done so when it’s time for us to go on the 19th, we would be ready.

“Those things have been accomplished on the back end. I’m looking forward now to the challenge of the mental and physical side of football what the challenges of football brings. I think we’re ready to go, I’m excited.”

Campbell said he is grateful for the opportunity and also appreciative of the support of Tesoro head coach Matt Poston.

“As a first time head coach there are a lot of expectations that come with just being a head coach but I think it intensifies when you’re a former alumni and the things that were accomplished with your teammates back then,” he said.

The Roadrunners, like other teams, will be training in pods of 10 when practice begins on Monday. No footballs can be used because of health reasons.

“Basically, I don’t think I’ll be able to address the whole team based on the CDC guidelines and what our guidelines are,” Campbell said. “The pods are going to set up based on the coaches and the positions. So the offensive linemen will be with the offensive line coach and the defensive line will be with their coach, the running backs and receivers will be with their coaches.”

Campbell said he optimistic that the season will actually start as planned on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021 when Saddleback is scheduled to play Century.

“I’ve learned to use the word tentative,” he said. “I’m optimistic.”

Campbell expects big contributions from offensive linemen Bryan Amaro (junior), Rudolfo Munoz (senior), Iskandar Abitar (junor) and Adrian Zapata (senior) along with running backs Chris Carro (junior) and Rodrigo Nieves (sophomore).

Other key players include seniors Michael Palmerin, Aldo Terrones, Vincent Resendez and Fermin Bonilla and juniors Samuel Escobar, Sebastian Perez and Isaias Ramirez and sophomore Joey Wilson. Campbell said he expects Ramirez to lead the Roadrunners.

2021 SADDLEBACK SCHEDULE

(Home games at Segerstrom High School)

Friday, Jan. 8, at Century

Thursday, Jan. 14, La Quinta (H)

Thursday, Jan. 21, at Los Amigos

Friday, Jan. 28, at Bolsa Grande

Friday, Feb. 5, Santa Ana Valley (homecoming)

Thursday, Feb. 11, Estancia (H)

Friday, Feb. 19, Santa Ana (H)

Friday, Feb. 26, at Costa Mesa

Thursday, March 4, at Orange

Thursday, March 11, Calvary Chapel (H)

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

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