Poor League Record Led to Lopez Firing

The Alemany High principal said Friday that his displeasure with the football team’s winless record in league play led to the firing of Coach Enrique Lopez.

Lopez was dismissed Thursday after compiling a 17-22-2 record in four seasons, including a 3-5-2 mark last fall. Alemany was 3-1-1 in nonleague games, including a 17-14 win over eventual City Section 4-A Division champion Granada Hills, but managed only a tie in five Del Rey League games.

“There are many aspects of his program that I admire, but I do want to win more games in the Del Rey League,” said Father Michael Nocita, the school’s principal. “I want to be more than competitive. I want to win.”

Lopez, who will remain at the school as a teacher, expressed no hard feelings toward Nocita, who is in his first year as principal.

“Father Nocita is going to be very good for that school,” he said. “Unfortunately, this was at my expense. It’s very disappointing and it hurts me a little, but you have to bounce back and get ready for the next obstacle.”

Nocita said he expects to fill the position within the next six weeks.