Banuelos, Rome on Valley’s Short List

Expect Valley College to have a new offensive coordinator in place by Friday, Coach Ron Ponciano said.

“It’s down to the two guys everybody knows about,” Ponciano said.

The two men are coaches David Banuelos of Pierce and John Rome of Citrus. They were among the top candidates for Valley’s head coaching job that went to Ponciano last week.

Ponciano, a former Cal State Northridge coach, faces the tough task of returning the Monarchs to respectability after they finished 2-8 last season.

Among the reasons for Valley’s poor showing was a sputtering offense thrown into disarray by an illness to former coach Carl Ferrill, who couldn’t devote significant time to the unit while battling prostate cancer.

Ferrill left Valley on medical leave during the season and Ponciano, the team’s top assistant, took over on an interim basis.

Ponciano, a former defensive coordinator at San Jose State and Northridge, plans to give Valley’s offensive coordinator leeway--within a specific framework.

“I’ve spoken with both [Banuelos and Rome] and it’s clear we have the same philosophy and concepts,” Ponciano said.

That includes installing a balanced offense with more emphasis on the running game, something the pass-happy Monarchs have not done much in recent years.

“The top JC teams in the state, they run the ball,” Ponciano said.

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Ponciano is quickly assembling his staff.

He hired Kennedy High assistant Billy Parra as receivers coach, former Valley quarterback Joe Mauldin as quarterbacks coach and Ira Tillman, a former assistant at North Hollywood and East L.A. College, as running backs coach.

Ponciano said Rick Amadio, Valley’s defensive coordinator the last six seasons, is pursuing other full-time coaching opportunities and won’t return next season. Amadio applied for Valley’s head coaching job that went to Ponciano.

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The Monarchs are expected to land within the next few days Syracuse defensive tackle Andrew Bulman.

“He squats 650 [pounds] and benches 515,” Ponciano said.

Bulman, 6 feet 3 and 265 pounds, played in one game for the Orangemen as a redshirt freshman last season.

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Three Canyons football players have transferred to Division I schools.

Linebacker Reggie Everett is at Arkansas State, Ahmad Milby is at Weber State and John Harrison is at Wagner College in Staten Island, N.Y.

Cornerback Omar Stewart has signed with Colorado and defensive back Josh Brandon has signed with Brigham Young.