University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh, Lane Kiffin of University of Alabama, visit Antioch, Tuesday
University of Michigan and former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh with Antioch High Varsity Football coach John Lucido, during a visit to the school, today, Tuesday, January 19, 2016. photo by Brett Dudley, AHS Football Offensive Coordinator. courtesy of Luke Johnson
Harbaugh revisits AHS for first time since 2004
By Luke Johnson, Local Sports Reporter
Contagious energy of excitement buzzed through Antioch High School Tuesday
afternoon as two celebrity football coaches stepped on campus, Jim Harbaugh and Lane Kiffin.
“Ms. Thompson and I walked out of the conference room, into the hallway, and started high-fiving and screaming in the office, going, ‘YES! YAHTZEE!’ Because we were fangirling, big time fangirling,” English Teacher Christopher Mathews said about encounter with the Harbaugh.
Antioch High football offensive coordinator Brett Dudley with Lane Kiffin.
Around 12:20 p.m., the University of Michigan’s head coach was the first to arrive. He and a couple of his assistant coaches met in the conference room of the newly constructed administrative building with Principal Louie Rocha, Antioch head coach John Lucido and PE teacher/offensive coordinator Brett Dudley.
A mob of students crowded around the window trying to get a glimpse of the iconic figure before Rocha had to drop the blinds them.
“It wasn’t just the kids,” Rocha said as he chuckled. “Adults were trying to peek from inside the building too.”
Rocha told Harbaugh that a handful of his staff wanted to meet and take pictures with him, one of them being Mathews, who is a Michigan native. Harbaugh was very welcoming, and told Rocha to bring everyone in.
When Harbaugh was introduced to Mathews, he asked him if he could record him for a recruiting video. Mathews then gave a quick pitch on his love for the Michigan Wolverines, and blew Harbaugh away.
“He said, ‘That is one of the best little cut-out recordings I’ve had on this trip. Do you mind if I have your permission to use that?” Mathews explained. “And I said, ‘Of course you can use that. I’d be honored.’”
After Mathews and the other faculty members exited the room, Rocha said Harbaugh told him he has a “fun and wonderful staff. You must love going to work everyday.”
According to Athletic Director Ferris Anthony, this was not Harbaugh’s first visit to Antioch High School. Back in 2004, well before he coached in the Super Bowl or Rose Bowl, he came to recruit standout athlete Josh Elliot as the head coach of UC-San Diego.
“We had no idea who he was at the time. A Division-III guy make stops in person at high schools was really unheard of,” Anthony said. “But we could tell he was going to be big one day.”
Marcus Malu, owner of Malu Fitness in Antioch with Lane Kiffin. photo by Luke Johnson
Before the day ended, Harbaugh made a pitstop at Malu Fitness on A Street to become acquainted with owner Marcus Malu and trainer Mori Suésué. He told them he has been hearing about “the shop” all over the Bay Area.
The following day, Michigan gave a scholarship offer to Malu Fitness athlete and De La Salle freshman Isaiah Foskey.
Not as many people met with the University of Alabama’s offensive coordinator on Tuesday, because he showed up after school hours. Kiffin’s first destination in town was at Malu Fitness with scout Tosh Lupoi, arriving at approximately 4 p.m., before routing to the high school.
The most thrilled person to meet Kiffin was Dudley, who said he has one of the best offensive minds in all of college football. They hung out, chatted it up and Kiffin even answered some of his questions about certain plays and strategies.
Harbaugh and Kiffin were there for the recruitment of junior running back Najee Harris. But since Harris is an underclassman, they are limited to brief direct interaction.
“From what I’ve observed, all they can do is say, ‘Hello,’ and that’s it,” Rocha said.
These men were not the first big names to visit AHS recently. Last month, the University of Notre Dame’s head coach Brian Kelly made an appearance. Rocha and Anthony have been employed on campus for over 20 years, and both agree that this has been the most exciting school year with more big names expected to come.
“It’s awesome going to work knowing you’re getting a chance to meet someone that most people dream of,” Dudley said.
the attachments to this post:
Malu & Kiffin at Malu Fitness
Dudley & Kiffin at AHS
Jim Harbaugh and Antioch High Coach John Lucido 1-19-16
