San Fernando Will Name Blunt Head Football Coach

Sean Blunt, a San Fernando High graduate and assistant football coach, will be named the Tigers’ head coach on Monday, sources said Friday night.

Blunt will replace longtime San Fernando Coach Tom Hernandez, 36, who resigned Thursday after 11 seasons as coach of the Tigers. Blunt, 27, assisted Hernandez for four seasons.

When reached for comment Friday, Blunt and Hernandez stressed the decision has not been finalized. However, each said the situation “looks good.”

Blunt, who graduated from San Fernando in 1983, acknowledged he has interviewed for the position with school Principal Bart Kricorian.

“I’m real excited . . . real enthusiastic about the possibilities,” Blunt said. “Coach Hernandez was a very good coach and a very successful coach.

“He had a big influence on me.”

Hernandez coached Blunt--a standout defensive back--during the 1982 and ’83 seasons. After graduating from San Fernando, Blunt, who teaches physical education at the North Valley League school, attended Nevada Las Vegas.

“I figured this would be a good time for Sean to take over,” Hernandez said. “We have a good, experienced group of kids coming back. I’m really happy I can leave the program with someone who will take care of it.”

One of the area’s top coaches, Hernandez was the winningest coach in Tiger history. He has a career record of 73-43-2. His team was 7-3-1 last season, losing to Jefferson, 19-16, in the first round of the City Section 4-A Division playoffs.

Hernandez, who will continue as a teacher at San Fernando, said he resigned to spend more time with his wife and daughter.

“It is just time to let someone else take over,” the 1975 San Fernando graduate said.