NOTEBOOK / SEAN WATERS : Palisades Assistant Howard Likely to Succeed Epstein

Although Palisades High has not named a replacement for retiring football Coach Jack Epstein, there may be no reason for other coaches to apply.

Palisades assistant Russel Howard is the preferred candidate of Principal Merle Price, who will do the hiring.

“I will go so far as to say that (Howard) is not only a candidate, but a very strong candidate for the position,” Price said.

Howard, 32, a graduate of Palisades, has been a defensive coordinator at the school for four years and an assistant for seven. He also coaches the B team.

Howard also coaches the Dolphin baseball team. He would be the second person from the area to be a head coach in football and baseball. Venice’s Kirk Alexander is currently the only coach of both sports.

Howard, who has never played football, would welcome the opportunity to become the Dolphin football coach.

“I’m definitely interested,” Howard said. “I’ve been a baseball man my entire life, but I’ve been involved with football the last seven years. I’ve learned a great deal under Jack. Every year we’ve worked together, we’ve been successful.”

Epstein, who filed his retirement papers Monday, said Howard would be his choice for the job.

“He has indicated an interest and he has got youth and enthusiasm on his side,” Epstein said. “He’s got enough energy to coach two sports and keep going at it for years to come.”

The L.A. Unified School District requires City Section schools to hire coaches with teaching credentials for varsity positions. Because of budget constraints, Price might not be able to hire a coach from outside the Palisades faculty unless a teaching position becomes available.

Palisades tennis Coach Bud Kling and volleyball Coach Howard Enstedt also have coached football, but it is doubtful that they would want to give up their current positions.

An official announcement on Epstein’s replacement is expected in February.

Fairfax High basketball player Robert Foster has narrowed his list of schools to three, but it’s no secret that he wants to attend Indiana.

Hoosier Coach Bobby Knight, who has already received an unwritten commitment from La Canada center Richard Mandeville, would like to make Foster the first player from the City Section to play for the Hoosiers. Foster, however, must score 700 on the Scholastic Aptitude Test to be eligible as a freshman. He scored a 690 on his first try and is awaiting results from his second test.

Foster, a 6-foot-4 guard who averaged 13.5 points, 5.5 assists and five rebounds a game last season, is also considering Oregon State and Cal State Long Beach.

He visited Oregon State two weeks ago and is scheduled to visit Long Beach on Saturday. His trip to Indiana is scheduled for Nov. 7.

Knight visited Foster at Fairfax last week. According to Fairfax Coach Harvey Kitani, Knight was surprised to learn that UCLA and USC were not recruiting Foster.

Brentwood junior Matt Newmark has made 26 of 30 extra points this season, but three of his misses have come after he scored a touchdown.

Newmark, who also plays wide receiver and linebacker in addition to handling the kicking duties, missed an extra-point attempt after a 65-yard punt return for touchdown last week against Webb. Earlier this season, he missed an extra-point attempt after a 55-yard scoring reception against Chadwick.

“He’s a really good kicker, but he’s just too tired after those long touchdowns,” Coach Pat Brown said.

Staff Writer Kirby Lee contributed to this notebook.