Football: Let’s start appreciating offensive line coaches

I’ve had a change of heart. I’ve always thought the offensive coordinator or the defensive coordinator was the key member of a high school football coaching staff. I was wrong. It’s the offensive line coach.

Show me a successful team, and it’s usually because of a great offensive line. A good line coach makes all the difference in the world.

Just look what Jim Adams accomplished as the line coach last season at St. John Bosco. There were no arguments as to which line was best. Yes, there was talent, but they were so well drilled. And last Friday, in a season opener, St. John Bosco’s line looked pretty darn good again.

Adams, an El Toro grad, has been coaching with head coach Jason Negro since 2003.

There are lots of good line coaches from around Southern California. Hart’s Bryan Martuscello has to be good, because head coach Mike Herrington used to be a line coach and always likes to “get my two cents in, but I trust Bryan a great deal,” Herrington said.

Jeff Kraemer of Sherman Oaks Notre Dame has been coaching the offensive line for 35 years. Anyone who’s stayed that long at one school deserves a good parking space or a pat on the back.

Long Beach Poly has the makings of a top team, and a big reason could be the play of the offensive line, which is receiving tutoring from new line coach Lloyd Williams.

Coaching the offensive line is challenging. Somebody really needs to know what they are doing to teach proper blocking techniques. They’ve earned my respect.

Twitter:@LATSondheimer