Football: Loyola Coach Marvin Sanders is feeling comfortable
Coach Marvin Sanders tries to bring out best in Cubs
A year ago, Marvin Sanders took over as a rookie head coach at Loyola with no high school coaching experience and little time to prepare after being an assistant at USC and joining the program in March. He had to adjust day by day.
This season, he’s far more comfortable and decisive in knowing what to do. Such as during Wednesday’s practice when he didn’t like the music blaring over the speakers, he just changed it himself. He knows where he wants to take the Cubs, and now it’s about getting his young players enough experience and confidence.
“The first year you learn a lot,” he said. “I think I’m a lot more relaxed, because I’m a lot more ahead of the game.”
Loyola didn’t make the Pac-5 playoffs last season, but the Cubs were one of the few teams to come within 14 points of 16-0 St. John Bosco and owned a win over Pac-5 semifinalist Alemany.
This season’s team has some outstanding skill-position players, such as running back David Cooper and receiver David Long, plus USC-bound defensive end Christian Rector.
The big questions will come along the offensive and defensive lines. Can the Cubs win in the trenches in the tough Mission League?
One highlight will be Loyola’s first game on campus since 1949 when the Cubs play San Diego St. Augustine on Sept. 12. The school is bringing in bleachers and lights to test if it should start having home games instead of playing at L.A. Valley College, far from campus.
“Let’s go _ energy,” Sanders was shouting to his players.
He intends to get their attention and focus this season.
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