Clinton’s Soft Speaking Yields High Volume

At El Modena, the lure of the mat is supreme. It’s not like that at every high school in Orange County, where some coaches plead with athletes to come out for wrestling.

Then again, there’s only one Alan Clinton, a coach who looks like a drill sergeant but endears himself to his team through his encouraging methods and love for the sport.

Since Clinton took over in 1985, El Modena is 192-60 and has won three Southern Section and seven league titles. He has had many wrestlers qualify for the state championships and has had one state champion, Juan Alvarez at 135 pounds in 1994.

Though he downplays his coaching as a reason for the Vanguards’ success, they have been a mainstay among the county’s top 10 for the past 18 years and are also ranked fourth in the coaches’ preseason poll.

“I love coaching,” Clinton said. “I remember people telling me you’ll never get rich doing this. But hey, I’m happy, having a great time and I’ve had--and have--the privilege of working with some great kids.”

One of those is Hans Gleason, a senior who wrestles at 171 pounds. He started wrestling as a freshman and says Clinton taught him everything he knows.

“Coach Clinton isn’t one of those guys who yells at you,” Gleason said. “Not that he doesn’t get mad sometimes. It’s just that he wants you to do your best, not necessarily for the team or for him, but for yourself.”

Villa Park Coach Steve Stewart also knows Clinton well.

“Everybody thinks Alan is this mellow, nice guy,” said Stewart, a friend of Clinton for more than 10 years. “But don’t be fooled by it. He’s an intense competitor who wants to win.”

Last year, when El Modena and Villa Park met for the Century League championship, the title came down to the winner of the last match. Though the Vanguards were underdogs, they kept the score close before losing, 33-30.

While Stewart screamed and pleaded with his team for much of the match, on the other side Clinton smiled and laughed, patting his wrestlers on their backs, telling them to do their best.

“Of course I wanted to win,” Clinton said, “We weren’t expected to win, and that’s the best way to go into a contest. But there’s nothing like a great wrestling match. It’s good for the sport and matches like that are what it’s all about.”

Stewart said he envies Clinton in the way he’s been able to generate so much interest in his program every year.

“I have a lot respect for him and his ability to get 100 guys out,” Stewart said. “That’s very difficult to do. There are very few coaches who can do that.”

Said Clinton: “To take a kid who’s never wrestled and watch him develop in the sport as well in character is something that’s very gratifying. That’s why I don’t care how many kids come out for wrestling, I never cut anyone. I’ve learned a long time ago, you never know when you might find that diamond in the rough.”

Clinton said a big factor in his success has been his ability to adapt to the times.

“I can remember when I was an athlete, a coach was a coach,” Clinton said. “That’s what they did, and nothing else. A coach didn’t have to think about fund-raising, dealing with booster clubs, making sure a kid keeps his grades up.

“The coach’s hat has grown, and they must adapt, as well as have a winning program. That can be tough for some to handle.”

“I must say I’ve been fortunate at El Modena. I have great kids and great parents.”

Senior Mark Hales started wrestling his freshman year at El Modena.

“My brother wrestled for Clinton,” he said, “so it was expected of me to do the same. It’s been a great experience.”

Hales said he appreciates Clinton’s style.

“Don’t get me wrong, he can really drive this team and we have some intense practices,” Hales said. “It’s just that he never gets in your face. He gets on your soft side and tries to get you to do your best. That’s why I think this team is more like a family than a team. He treats us all the same, and he loves what he’s doing.”

Hales pointed to the Villa Park match, which he said was a learning experience.

“He wasn’t mad at all after that match,” Hales said. “He said he didn’t mind losing because we did our best, and sometimes, doing your best is more important than winning.”

*

Other top teams:

Calvary Chapel, which is ranked No. 1 in national and state preseason polls, should not only win Five Counties, Southern Section Division I team and dual meet titles, but should also take its record seventh state title, along with a team-scoring record in the state finals. . . . Santa Ana will once again be a dominant team as the Saints are loaded with experience. Wyatt Howard, a transfer from Irvine, will strengthen Santa Ana in the upper weights. . . . Villa Park suffered a major setback with the transfer of Willie Parks to Calvary Chapel. Look for senior Doug Yadon (125 pounds) to help the Spartans bounce back. . . . Though Irvine lost Howard, Coach John Phillips believes he has enough experienced wrestlers to make up for the loss. . . . Coach Reza Abedi continues to build a strong program at Dana Hills, which is looking to dominate the South Coast League. . . . The buzz about a dark horse this season centers on Los Alamitos, which features strong and experienced underclassmen.