Northwood officials were looking for ‘more on-campus presence’ when they made decision about changing football coaches

Northwood football coach Pete Mitchell talks to his players after a victory in Cerritos last season.

Northwood High officials wanted “more of an on-campus presence,” when they announced on Wednesday that Pete Mitchell had stepped down after two seasons as the Timberwolves’ head football coach, Athletic Director Phil Roh said Thursday.

Mitchell gave all indications toward the end of the season he was looking forward to returning and said the future was bright. Mitchell could not be reached for comment but Roh further explained school officials decision on Thursday.

“He (Mitchell) was a walk-on coach and he had a lot of other commitments,” Roh said. “He had his own business to take care of so it was a mutually agreed upon thing that the time we wanted on campus, he just couldn’t physically meet, so that’s when the decision was made.

“We were hoping for more of an on-campus presence. He established a pretty good thing, we know that and he wants what is best for the program and we want what is best for the program, so it came to that decision.”

Roh praised the job that Mitchell did. Mitchell led the Timberwolves into the CIF Division 12 playoffs this past year and the Timberwolves got an opening round victory over Rancho Alamitos, finishing 8-4.

“He certainly invigorated our program,” Roh said. “People were excited about it. He did a great job of getting kids who weren’t playing football to play football for us. We won games, that always helps.”

Northwood’s co-offensive coordinator Dan Selway, who worked with Pete Mitchell’s son Peter, also reacted.

“I was surprised,” said Selway, a Northwood High alumn and former standout quarterback. “We feel like we have a good thing going and Coach Mitchell certainly laid the foundation and Northwood football has a lot of pride and me personally as well want the best for the student athletes at Northwood. Coach Mitchell, I learned a lot from him. I guess we will move on and I was lucky to learn and be around Coach Mitchell.”

Selway said he is not sure what his future with the program is and said he hasn’t decided whether he would apply for the head coaching job.’

“Obviously, I’m still passionate about Northwood football and trying to help the student athletes have a great experience,” he said. “There hasn’t been any discussions. I think there is a nice foundation to get Northwood football back to where it should be but I haven’t really thought too much about it.

“The news is still just sinking in and just trying to enjoy the holiday season and get through that. It’s kind of too early to comment on something like that (the head coaching job).”

Northwood quarterback Jaden Piazza said Northwood players were called into a meeting on Wednesday. He said he was appreciative of what Mitchell accomplished and what he did for him.

“He is definitely one of the coaches who when I came in to Northwood was one of the first ones to truly make me feel welcome,” Piazza said. “I can’t thank him enough for that. All the coached help me and he of course did his part as a head coach to the best that he can and he was great. I hope he can still come out and coach defense and he won’t leave permanently.”

Piazza said he was surprised to hear the news.

“They said he was stepping down as head coach,” Piazza said. “It was a little bit of a shock to me. But I’m happy for whatever he chose as his decision.”

Piazza said he is looking forward to next season.

“I’m excited for next year,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back out onto the field after baseball season to see what we can do next year.”

Roh, the athletic director, said officials will be looking at all options when looking for a replacment.

“We’re going to open it up to potential teaching opportunities,” he said. “We want the best person in place, whoever that person shakes out to be we’re going to do our best to make it work.”

“We have a lot of good kids coming back. The cupboard is certainly not bare. We have a lot of great people coming back and great families supporting us. Transition is hard for everybody, it’s not easy but we’re going to do our best to do right by the kids and the program and the school.”

PETE MITCHELL STEPS DOWN AFTER TWO YEARS AS COACH

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