Football: Raul Lara embraces the challenge of taking over as coach at Warren [Video]
He’s the new coach at Warren High
Looking relaxed, comfortable and confident, former Long Beach Poly Coach Raul Lara was introduced on Wednesday to his new players at Downey Warren.
People are still wondering why someone would leave Poly after winning five Southern Section championships in 13 seasons to move to Warren, which is 0-20 the last two seasons.
“I needed a change,” Lara said. “I needed something to challenge me.”
Lara said he intended to resign at Poly at the end of the 2012 season but was talked into staying another season by his administration. He didn’t intend to coach immediately again at the high school level. His focus was on coaching in college, but that didn’t work out and Warren officials contacted him about their opening.
“I haven’t had this burning fire or desire to be really out here and help these kids out for a long time, since 2001, when I became the head coach at Poly,” Lara said.
He’s bringing with him several Poly assistants. He will continue to be a probation officer.
“It’s a great challenge and in life, you need to make changes to challenge yourself,” he said.
Lara said being a Poly grad he will continue to root for the Jackrabbits, who chose Antonio Pierce, a former NFL linebacker with no coaching experience, as the new head coach.
“Your time is going to be required if you want to win,” he said of coaching at Poly.
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