No Doubt About It, Ancich Gets 300th Victory

As understated as Santa Fe Springs St. Paul football Coach Marijon Ancich appears to be after a big victory, it wasn’t surprising the way he reacted following Thursday night’s 48-21 rout of Alta Loma at Chaffey High.

Although this was far from being a typical victory.

“I’m just happy to be here,” Ancich said after becoming the second high school coach in California history to win 300 games. “That’s really all I can say.”

Ancich, whose career record stands at 300-97-7, joins Oceanside El Camino’s Herb Meyer in the 300-win club. Meyer accomplished the feat last month.

After a brief session with reporters, Ancich joined the Rev. Robert Gallagher, St. Paul’s principal, who presented him with a plaque commemorating the feat, much to the delight of the cheering St. Paul fans.

But when it came time to hand the microphone to the coach, he darted off to the locker room, politely ignoring the crowd’s pleas for a speech as he smiled and waved.

Running back German Arias, who carried for a game-high 174 yards in 19 carries and two touchdowns, said he wasn’t surprised that his coach shied away from the spotlight.

“He didn’t mention it one time this week,” Arias said of the quest for 300. “He’s just out there to win and to coach, but we definitely wanted to get this for him and for ourselves.”

The Swordsmen (5-0) did that with a huge third quarter to break open what had been a close game at halftime with St. Paul leading, 21-14.

St. Paul scored twice in the quarter and wore down Alta Loma (3-2) with 551 yards rushing while not attempting a single pass.

“It feels really good,” said Ancich, 65, who began his coaching career at St. Paul in 1961 and also coached at Tustin for nine years and at the college level before returning for his second stint at the school. “There’s been a lot of ups and downs over the years and to just be here now is great.”