Tuttle springs into practice
GLENDALE — Less than two weeks into his inaugural spring practices as Glendale High football coach, John Tuttle is already making his mark.
The former San Marino High standout spent most of Wednesday afternoon’s two-hour practice drilling his players and going over simple basic offensive and defensive formations.
“The biggest thing at this early stage is to teach these young guys how to practice at a faster tempo,” said Tuttle, who inherited a team that finished 2-8 last season and hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2003. “Once we get practices going faster, than we can work on teaching a system.”
Tuttle recently released his spring football schedule with official practices, taking place between 4-6 p.m. on Moyse Field, having started on May. 14 and extending until Thursday, June 7.
The football team then plans to take its mandatory three-week dead-period session from June 11 to June 30 before summer football begins on Monday, July 2.
What’s noticeably different in Tuttle’s offseason schedule in comparison to that of his predecessor, Alan Eberhart, is the lack of passing league competitions.
In fact, Tuttle only has one passing league scheduled on July 18 with Flintridge Prep and says he may add one more later down the line.
“I’m just not a big believer in passing leagues and obviously that’s where Eb and I have a difference of opinion,” Tuttle said. “I come from playing high school football at San Marino under Coach Bill Maloney, who didn’t believe in passing league much either.”
Maloney, who led the Titans to two CIF Southern Section title-game appearances, ran one of the more famous two-back offenses in the San Gabriel Valley during the 1980s and 90s.
A true disciple, Tuttle also expressed a desire to run a similar offensive system at Glendale.
“Ideally, I’d love to do it and have the offense resemble what Temple City was doing a few years ago,” Tuttle said, “but I’m going to work with what I have and see what kind of offense I can construct.”
One major cog Tuttle hasn’t had much time to work with is incoming senior wide receiver Michael Davis, an All-Area second-teamer who hauled in 860 yards on 52 receptions last year.
Davis is preparing for Friday evening’s CIF Southern Section track and field Masters Meet at Cerritos College.
The speedster is slated for the 200-meter dash at 8 p.m. and has a very good chance to advance to the following weekend’s state championships in Clovis.
“Obviously, I’d love to have Michael here with us, but it’s great that he’s gone as far as he has,” Tuttle said. “Right now, he’s competing against some great athletes and that type of competition is only a bonus in preparing him for the football season.”
According to Tuttle, Davis represents the type of multi-sport athlete he is looking for in helping rejuvenate the program.
“I want my players participating in different sports, not just football all year round,” Tuttle said. “Some football coaches don’t like that, but I do. That’s the way it was for me at San Marino and that’s the way I’d like it for my players.”
At Wednesday’s practice, Tuttle spent a good amount of time with his offensive skill players and in particular, quarterback Kevin Felix, one of three potential suitors for the starting spot.
“Right now the position is up in the air. I’m not close to naming any starters,” Tuttle said. “The good thing with Kevin and with the guys is that they’re open to do anything and everything and that’s what we’re going to need here, an open mind.”