Trabuco Hills can draw on its past for today’s success

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One of the factors that has led Trabuco Hills (12-1) into the Southern Section Southwest Division championship against El Dorado (12-1) on Friday is the coaching.

No, not necessarily Jason Negro, pictured at right, who guides the varsity staff.

But the group of freshman coaches, including offensive coordinator Jim Barnett, who get first crack at teaching players about the system on their way to the varsity.

Barnett was the head man in the Trabuco Hills program when the Mustangs were last in a title game, 1993, a 44-6 victory over Costa Mesa in Division VIII. Randy Brouwer, who is the head coach of the freshmen, Dan Collins and Steve Osborne were assistants to Barnett back then.

‘You get three coaches like that who know what they’re doing on the freshman level, it helps,’ said Barnett, who also won consecutive titles with the team in 1988-89, and a Coastal Division title with Long Beach Poly in 1980. Barnett also lost twice in the finals while at Poly, to a Servite squad whose quarterback was Steve Beuerlein.

‘They have more championships and more experience than the varsity staff,’ said Negro, who is in his fifth season since taking over for Barnett.

Barnett and his former staff have been coaching the freshmen for three seasons, so he had a hand in the development of the juniors on this year’s Trabuco Hills roster.

‘One of the influences Barnett had is he taught them how to be winners, and he gives instant credibility to what they’re doing, and they’ve been real supportive of my staff and what we’re doing,’ Negro said. ‘It’s his expertise and experience. The kids know how to win when they leave [the freshman team].’

Barnett will still watch a practice, still offer advice.

‘The only time I’ve ever had to question him is when he had picture day on Monday of the last week of the season,’ Barnett said of his successor. ‘We were playing El Toro and we were both undefeated, and we had to play on Wednesday. I wanted all the preparation time I could get. I wasn’t happy with that.’

Trabuco Hills won that freshman game anyway.

There’s also been at least one other influence.

‘One reason we changed to silver helmets two years ago,’ Negro said, ‘is because they won titles with silver helmets.’

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.thhsfootball.com