Errion Remembered as Coach and Friend

Jack Errion was both fiery, an intense competitor, yet gracious in victory or defeat. He wasn’t afraid to get on his players. The numbers of students, athletes and coaches he influenced at St. Anthony and Corona del Mar must number in the tens of thousands.

He was stubbornly sticking to man-to-man defense when zones, then traps, then match-ups and amoebas became all the rage. Of course, he continued winning. For more than 30 years he utilized screening on the ball and and the high post rub, which now can be seen from Westwood to Upstate New York. Jack didn’t have 2s and 3s, he had left guard or right forward.

Jack has had teams score over 100 points, but preferred lower scores. In 1975, he beat stalling Pius X, 14-6. His last great player was Loyola Marymount’s Jeff Fryer. LMU’s current athletic director, Brian Quinn, got his first coaching job working under Jack at St. Anthony’s, before Jeff was born.

Jack would yell, fidget, turn various colors. His players always knew where they stood. During timeouts, the starters got instructions, while subs interacted with fans, probably getting directions to postgame parties. It was a classic scene. It was classic Coach Errion.

Just like all those students he taught, the coaching community is grateful for having known him.

BILL SHANNON, Basketball coach, Woodbridge High School