St. Genevieve Names Fong as Coach, Athletic Director

Richard Fong, an assistant football coach at Westlake High last season, has been hired as athletic director and football coach at St. Genevieve.

Fong, 33, fills a coaching vacancy left open after Mark Lovett resigned in February. The departure of Lovett, a popular figure among students at the school, sparked a one-day protest by the students. Administrators said Lovett’s contract was not renewed; Lovett said he resigned. Lovett had a record of 4-14 in two seasons at St. Genevieve.

Fong, a former assistant at Crespi and Chaminade, said he is aware that he faces tough tasks on and off the field. St. Genevieve has a 5-22 record over the past three seasons and has not had a winning record since 1987.

“It’s a big challenge because there is room for improvement,” Fong said. “I figure, even in the best of situations, there are going to be people who still support the former head coach. I expect to have to work to win them over, but that doesn’t bother me.”

Fong, who will succeed Jack Sunderlik as the school’s athletic director, graduated from Hollywood High in 1976 and Cal State Northridge in 1983. He was an assistant at Chaminade in 1984-85 and at Crespi in 1986-89.

Last season, Fong was promoted to defensive coordinator midway through Westlake’s 8-2-1 season. He will teach health and physical education at St. Genevieve.