Mazziotti Admits Mistakes in Handling of Alemany Job

Almost 2 months after resigning from the cross-country and track and field coaching position at Alemany High, Gary Mazziotti says he handled the situation poorly.

However, he said he did what he thought was best for himself and his family.

“I felt uncomfortable about taking the Alemany job under the circumstances,” he said. “I know what it takes to build a program from scratch, and I didn’t feel like I was dedicated enough to do a good job there.”

Mazziotti, 37, resigned from his position on the first day of school after Alemany hired him away from his alma mater, Birmingham, in June. He said he intended to fulfill his obligations at the Mission Hills school until he became aware of some vacant college coaching positions in late August.

“I realized then that collegiate coaching was in my blood,” Mazziotti said. “I realized that was where I wanted to be.”

One of the vacant positions was at Texas El Paso, where Mazziotti was graduated in 1973 and where he coached the men’s and women’s cross-country teams from 1983-86. He was also an assistant track coach during that time.

Although Mazziotti inquired about the UTEP job, he never applied for it. However, he says he was offered a track position, effective next year, at a junior college in Southern California. He wouldn’t say where.

“I’ve accepted the job,” said Mazziotti, who is currently working in the sales department of Thomas Realty in Burbank. “I’d like to be able to say where it is, but I can’t. There are still some details to be worked out.”