Meek Plans a Smooth Transition at Esperanza

Gary Meek, named Wednesday to replace Pete Yoder as Esperanza High School’s football coach, doesn’t plan any major changes when the Aztecs begin practice next week.

“Pete’s philosophies are pretty well embedded, and I don’t think there will be much problem with the transition,” Meek said Wednesday by telephone from Boise, Ida., where he is on vacation. “The staff has been together for a long time, and much of our success will depend on my ability to administer the program.”

Meek, 37, is a 1967 graduate of Santa Ana Valley High School, where he was a varsity starter for two years as a tight end and one year as a fullback/linebacker. He started at linebacker for two years at Rancho Santiago College and two years at San Diego State before becoming an assistant at San Diego City College in 1971.

Meek was an assistant at Mater Dei High from 1973-76 before joining Yoder’s staff in 1976. He has been at Esperanza every year except 1984, when he spent a season at Rancho Santiago. He has coached both offense and defense at Esperanza.