Poly’s Barnett to Coach at Trabuco Hills

Jim Barnett, football coach at Long Beach Poly High School since 1980, will be named the coach at Trabuco Hills High, a new school in Mission Viejo.

Trabuco Hills Principal Bill Brand had narrowed his list of candidates to two--Barnett and Cal State Long Beach assistant Steve Bresnahan--last week. Over the weekend, he made a recommendation to the school board, which will vote on Brand’s selection next Monday night. Brand would not confirm he had recommended Barnett, saying it would be improper until the board had voted.

But it was learned that Barnett had been contacted Sunday and informed of the decision. Barnett, reached Monday night in Long Beach would neither confirm, nor deny the report, saying he would wait for Brand’s public announcement next week.

Bresnahan, a successful coach at Lakewood High before moving to the college ranks, also refused to comment, but when asked if he would be back at Long Beach next season, he said, “I would certainly think so.”

In addition, officials at Long Beach Poly were telling reporters Monday that anyone interested in the football position could apply.

Barnett led Poly to a 10-2 record in 1984, losing to eventual Big Five champion Riverside Poly, in the semifinals. The Jackrabbits reached the Big Five final in 1982, losing to Servite, 31-7.