Perry Jones has been named head football coach at Palisades High.
Jones was the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator last season and is a physical education teacher at the school. He had that advantage because a teaching position wasn’t being offered to candidates. It’s considered important, but not mandatory, that the coach be on campus all day.
Santa Monica High head coach Travis Clark doesn’t teach classes and has the label of a walk-on coach.
Kelly Loftus recently resigned as the Palisades coach after three seasons. His record was 7-22.
Loftus’ 2009 season was set back after his star quarterback transferred to the high-profile program at Serra High in Gardena. Serra, which had an outstanding array of receivers, won the state championship.
Palisades, which was non-competitive in a shutout loss to Santa Monica in 2009, is on the Vikings’ 2010 schedule and figures to be improved. The Dolphins’ frosh-soph team beat Samohi, 36-0, and went on to win the Western League championship.
Jones played at Santa Clara High and Ventura College.
Mitch Chortkoff
Mirror Sports Editorsports@smmirror.com
