Thomas Takes Reins at Crespi

Troy Thomas, a successful defensive coordinator who played on Crespi High’s 1986 Southern Section championship team, has been named the Celts’ football coach.

He replaces Ron Gueringer, who resigned after a two-year record of 1-19.

Thomas spent this season as a graduate assistant at Fresno State after serving as defensive coordinator at Westlake in 1999, when the Warriors won the Division IV championship.

He was defensive coordinator at Crespi under Tim Lins in 1993, when the Celts reached the Division I semifinals. Thomas later was an assistant at Hawaii.

“Troy is a dynamic coach,” Westlake Coach Jim Benkert said. “It’s the job he always wanted. The kids will rally around him.”

Said Lins: “I think it’s a great hire. He’s part of the reason we did so well when we had him.”

Thomas, 31, was introduced to Crespi’s players Monday at a meeting. He takes over a program that has struggled in recent years because of player defections and inexperience.

Thomas vowed to reverse the losing ways immediately.

“I expect to win next year,” he said. “I’ve watched tapes of them and I think there’s talent.”

Thomas plans to hire six assistant coaches, including his brother, Lance, who was a defensive back at Crespi, Fresno State and last season in the Arena Football League. Thomas has selected former Oak Park and USC receiver Erik Affholter, an assistant at Westlake, to be offensive coordinator.

Thomas has apprenticed under high-profile coaches, including Benkert, Lins of Moorpark, Bill Redell of Oaks Christian and Pat Hill of Fresno State.

“I think I’ll take a little bit from them all, but I have my own style,” he said. “I’m an excited guy. I want to have fun and I want my kids to have fun. I’ve coached at the college level for four years and high school for five years and my fondest memories are coaching high school football.”

Thomas will complete the season with Fresno State, which plays Air Force in the Silicon Valley Bowl on Dec. 31. He’ll officially begin at Crespi on Jan. 23 and teach physical education.