Hoover goes back to the future

Hamlet Nalbandyan

Dennis Hughes was named the new head football coach at Hoover High on

Monday, replacing Rob Swartz, who stepped down in early March after

four years at the helm.

Of course, new is not exactly the best word to describe Hughes, a

1974 Glendale High graduate.

The 47-year-old is a familiar face around Hoover, having been the

head football coach at the school from 1986 to 1996, in addition to

having two separate assistant stints.

Most recently, Hughes has been Hoover’s linemen coach the past two

years.

“Dennis was a great match for us,” said Hoover Co-principal Kevin

Welsh, who received about a dozen job applications.

“We went through the process of finding the best candidates,

because it’s always good to see what’s out there.

“That’s how we got Rob, and we wanted to do the same this time

around. But after going through the interviewing process, we decided

that Dennis was a good fit and match for Hoover.

“He’s been a coach here and he knows the kids very well.”

Added Swartz, who left Hoover to become the coach at Golden Valley

High: “It’s the smoothest transition. He knows the kids at Hoover,

and the kids respect him.

“He also knows the challenges that lie ahead, and I think he’ll do

a great job.”

Hughes had his share of ups and downs during his previous head

coaching stint, which produced a 23-85-3 record.

In 1987, he guided Hoover to a share of the Pacific League title

and its last CIF playoff appearance.

In 1995, Hoover went 4-4-2 under Hughes, which is the last time

the Tornadoes have had a .500 season.

But in 1996, Hughes stepped down under a cloud of controversy.

That year, the Tornadoes had to forfeit a 48-34 victory against

Glendale after using an ineligible player.

Hughes then resigned and became an assistant at Glendale Community

College for four years.

“That was a long time ago, and I consider that an aberration,”

Welsh said. “It was an honest mistake, and it wasn’t even an issue

[during the hiring process].”

Hughes said the reason he decided to return to the head coaching

ranks was because of his players.

“I enjoy being here and working with the kids,” said Hughes, who

is a health education teacher at Hoover. “The timing was good for me,

and I feel really blessed to have this opportunity.

“I look forward to working with this group, and I think we could

do some good things.”

Although Hoover hasn’t had success in recent years -- having won

just three games the past four years -- the future looks a bit

promising.

Hoover’s junior varsity team went 5-4-1 last season, and its

freshman team won the city championship, handily beating Crescenta

Valley and Glendale.

In addition, most of Hoover’s skilled players return for another

season on varsity, including starting tailbacks Shaun Kermah and Alex

Pantoja.