Mitch Chortkoff
Mirror Sports Writer
Chris Caminiti, the athletic director at West Los Angeles College, will coach the St. Monica High football team next season.
Caminiti plans to perform his duties at the college in the morning, then drive to St. Monica each afternoon.
The term in the industry is a “walk-on coach.” The concept can be successful but some schools, including Santa Monica High, want the coach to teach classes and be on campus all-day.
Samohi, also in search of a head coach, hasn’t made a decision. The delay, in part, is because it is insisting on candidates being credentialed to teach. Many interested candidates aren’t.
St. Monica athletic director Rick Bruce is confident Camini’s schedule will allow him to do the job well.
“In the interview process we looked at the possibility of having a football coach who would teach classes,’’ said Bruce. “But in the final analysis Chris was an easy choice. He has coached high school football in San Diego, he is more than qualified and he has flexibility in his schedule at West LA College.’’
Caminiti will begin coaching May 15, when St. Monica will start 15 days of spring practice. He replaces Jason Strouse, who became a father and feels he can’t devote the necessary time to being a head football coach. Strouse remains as a teacher and track coach.
St. Monica has enjoyed football success in past years despite the absence of a campus stadium. However, the Mariners suffered considerable injuries last season and went 1-9.
St. Monica won a CIF football championship in 1998.
