Coaching departures put AC football at a crossroad

Its history spans less than a decade but American Canyon High football has weathered three
coaching changes and kept winning.

Their ability to withstand a fourth will depend on finding a viable candidate -- quickly.

The resignation of head coach Larry Singer on Tuesday puts the program at a crossroad.
Singer broke the news the team’s Facebook page on Tuesday after informing the players
and administration. The text of Singer’s message read as follows:

“Parents and Families, It is with deep regret and disappointment that I have to tell you that I
have resigned as the Head Coach of American Canyon. This year has taken a tremendous
toll on me and my family and I need to do what is right for them and step away from the
football program. The administration has assured me that they will do their best to have
someone in place as soon as they can. Thank you all for what you have done to make this
program and me a success. This program would be nothing without the love and support you
have shown through the years. Thank you, Coach Singer.”

Singer has not ruled out a return to the sideline but added that it would likely be as a position
coach, where, you have one job -- coach a small group of players and play the role of good
cop to the head coach’s bad cop. As the head coach, your responsibilities are far greater,
including but not limited to fundraising, grade checks, dealing with parents, dealing with
administration, etc. to go along with coaching.

Singer, who will continue teaching culinary arts, has been with the program since Day One.
He was the freshmen coach in 2010, the JV head coach from 2011-2014 and the varsity head
coach from 2015-2017. The Wolves went 23-12 with three Solano County Athletic
Conference titles including a trip the the CIF Sac Joaquin Section Div. III semifinals.

Top-level assistant Kirk Anderson is leaving to join Will C. Wood’s coaching staff. Anderson
joined the Wolves staff last season after having spent the previous three at Napa (his alma
mater) under former head coach Troy Mott.

When reached via email, Anderson said: “I’m excited for the opportunity to coach and teach
five minutes from my house in Vacaville. Departing from AC was not easy after the
relationships I built with coaches and players. The players were great, they love football and
love to compete.  They made coaching a lot of fun.”

Anderson will also teach PE at Wood. The Wildcats open the season at Vintage on Aug. 17
and host American Canyon on Sept. 7.

The Wolves’ head coaching job has been advertised on edjoin.org. The job advertises that a
single subject teaching job may accompany the position. The deadline to apply is June 13.
The Wolves recently completed their spring practice as they transition from the SJS to the
North Coast Section. American Canyon will compete in the Vine Valley Athletic League
with Napa, Vintage, American Canyon, Justin-Siena, Petaluma, Casa Grande and Sonoma.

In the interim, JV head coach Fred Tenbrink will serve as the point of contact for parents.
Tenbrink’s role will be making certain kids are cleared to play and be part of the remaining
coaches committed to keeping the players well-conditioned and fundamentally sound for
the new head coach.

Here are a few things to unpack:

TIMING NOT GOOD

Though I have never been a high school coach, I am a father of three young kids so I can
understand the importance of being with family. As a former sports reporter, I know the
topsy turvy scheduling nature of being around sports.

The only thing that raises the antenna is the timing. Combining family time with
coaching is difficult no matter what the calendar reads. The timing makes me wonder if
philosophical differences with the powers that be were taking place and came to a head.
Neither side said anything publicly alluding to such, and nor would I expect them, in the
published stories in both the Napa Valley Register and Vallejo Times Herald so I’ll take
public comments at face value. By no means am I making assumptions or creating Skip
Bayless-like hot takes, I am simply stating what I feel, which may be unfounded for all I
know.

I’ve enjoyed a good working relationship with Singer throughout the years and if he feels
being with his family will benefit his life, I’m all for it. Plus, for all the joys of coaching,
there are also diminishing returns.

Anderson’s departure is a double whammy. Anderson would have been the ideal in-house
candidate to replace Singer, who was in the same position after Ernie Lawson resigned.
Anderson has been an assistant coach both on the offensive and defensive side of the ball
at Burbank, Napa, Rio Americano and Bella Vista. He was also a head coach for three
years at Mira Loma.

The Wolves, however, were in this same position from a timing perspective when Ian
MacMillan resigned in late May 2014. Lawson was subsequently hired as the head coach in
July 2014. American Canyon went 7-4 that season. Lawson resigned shortly after the 2014
season and Singer was then promoted.

The program wants a teacher/coach. Finding one with this time window will not be easy.
Keep in mind, Lawson was an off-campus coach.

PLENTY OF REALLY GOOD ATHLETES

In seven years, the Wolves have compiled a record of 55-28 with six SCAC titles. On
paper, I had American Canyon and Vintage as the two best teams in the newly formed
VVAL. I still feel that way but the coaching shakeup also creates a cloud of uncertainty.
The Wolves, however, have the athletes to keep winning.  

The fact that American Canyon has kept winning despite the coaching changes in amazing.
Granted, that continued success reflects how top-heavy the now defunct SCAC had
become. You had Vanden, Benicia and American Canyon at the top with Bethel, Fairfield
and Vallejo falling into the abyss. However, that success also reflects the quality of athletes
the school possesses.

THE JOB HAS GOOD CURB APPEAL

The school was built in 2010 and while the newness has dissipated, it is still an appealing
school to send your kids. The high school being built has given American Canyon kids an
identity. The school’s facilities are off the charts and while many gush over Memorial
Stadium in Napa, the Wolf Den in American Canyon is no second fiddle.

The school has also undergone its share of administrative turnover to the tune of three
principals (Mark Brewer, Damon Wright and Crystal Lopez).

Pat Harrison started as the athletic director before Ed Lombardi took over on an interim basis.
Shortly thereafter, Brad Shurmantine was the boys AD and Jill Stewart was the girls AD before
the latter had that role for both. Melissa Shimer and now James Dennis have since served as
AD. Stewart has since elevated to Napa Valley Unified school District AD.

I have said this repeatedly, I root for all Napa Valley high schools from American Canyon to
the South to Calistoga to the North. Here’s hoping the Wolves get a viable candidate sooner
rather than later.