Prep football: 25 Sacramento-area coaches who hope to build or maintain winning traditions

Sometimes, it’s the ghosts that add to the pressure for new coaches trying to leave their imprint on programs heavy with tire tracks from wayward seasons.

On the Sacramento-area high school football front, no one bears more responsibility in elevating or maintaining a program than the coach. At Cordova, first-year coach JP Dolliver knows all about the tradition of Big Red, where the Lancers led the country in victories in the 1970s, led the region in wins in the 1980s and have led the way with all manner of heartache for a good portion of the last 30 years since a dynasty was knocked down to size with declining enrollment, changing demographics and coaching turnover.

“I hear about it all the time, the great coaches like Dewey Guerrea, Ron Lancaster, Max Miller, but that’s a good thing because it’s tradition,” Dolliver said. “Everyone wants to see Cordova do well again.”

The Lancers reached the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs from 2016-18 but haven’t won more than three games since. With 44 players, the interest remains in Rancho Cordova to make football a thing again.

Here’s a peek at first- and second-year Sacramento-area coaches who expect to maintain or build momentum:

Josh Appelt, East Nicolaus, first season: The program’s former junior varsity coach seeks to extend the monstrous success under previous coach Travis Barker, who won five Northern Section titles and a CIF state crown.

Chris Bean, Twelve Bridges, second season: Quick, Chris Bean for Mayor! The man works magic, first at Lincoln High and now here at a school that won’t graduate its first class until spring.

Jason Burgin, Galt, first season: The first thing the Warriors need is coaching stability. Burgin vows to be all of that as a social science teacher on campus with an open-door policy for players. Galt last had a winner in 2005, under famed Erv Hatzenbuhler in his second stint as coach.

Dante Bush, Kennedy, first season: Bush is an eager young coach who wants to teach this craft in the NFL. He’s coached prep teams in the Bay Area and locally with this being his first head gig.

Will Claggett, Marysville, second season: An alum of the school who played linebacker at Montana of the Big Sky Conference, Claggett was a mainstay as a Marysville assistant and then led the Indians to the playoffs in 2022.

Nick Garratt, Davis, second season: It can be done at Davis because it’s happened before where lean times were followed by good ones, including bouncing back into playoff form in 2018 and 2019 after an 0-10 showing in 2017.

Alex Gomes-Coelho, River Valley, first season: After injecting new life into Johnson High, Gomes-Coelho is tasked with rebuilding the Falcons of Yuba City after their campaign was halted at mid season in 2022 due to player disciplinary issues.

Matt Costa, Del Campo, second season: With relentless good cheer and perspective, Costa has turned beaten-down programs into playoff ones before — Mira Loma, Kennedy, Pleasant Grove — and he saw signs of promise amid a 3-7 season in 2022.

Josh Crabtree, Pleasant Grove, second season: One of the region’s witty and spirited leaders and people, Crabtree knew this would be a steep climb, going 1-9 in 2022. But the pieces are there for a surge, starting with QB Cole Davis and an improved line and defense.

JP Dolliver, Cordova, first season: He isn’t afraid of hard work, having endured some lean times and also a playoff showing in recent seasons as head man at El Camino. Cordova longs for coaching stability and a taste of its past glory.

Kimmbie Drayton, Sacramento, second season: An alum of the school, Drayton flinched as the Dragons went an injury-plagued 2-8 in 2022 after winning nine games in 2021, but they return 16 starters and the area’s top senior in RB Lamar Radcliffe.

Aaron Garcia, Capital Christian, first season: Garcia was a longtime area assistant coach and The Bee’s 1987 Player of the Year as a record-setting passer at Grant. How, his aim is to keep the Cougars united after they were jolted by the abrupt resignation of previous coach Saul Patu and the hospitalization of beloved teammate Trevor Loveall, who collapsed during a scrimmage.

Bryan Golder, Burbank, second season: He knows the challenges of elevating a city program where it’s a scramble to get a full team out to practice until school starts, but his optimism and leadership will reap rewards.

Donald James, Valley, first season: James can appreciate a challenge as he elevated Mt. Diablo High of Concord to a winning season after enduring a winless campaign. The goal now is to raise roster numbers and show that turnarounds can happen.

Jemel Johnson, Foothill, second season: The 25-year old is all about inspiration and energy. He willed the young Mustangs to the playoffs last season and now aims for a league championship.

Joseph McCray, Franklin, second season: After leading Sacramento High to the playoffs, McCray went 2-8 here in 2022, but Franklin has all the means — large enrollment, athletes and administrative support — to become a playoff regular, like it did for years under coach Mike Johnson.

Gary Melvin, Natomas, first season: After calling the offense at Roseville High last season, Melvin takes over a program that seeks a playoff repeat behind top player in national recruit LB Kahirre Louis.

Jake Messina, Oakmont, second season: He took over for longtime coach Tim Moore, now an award-winning athletic director, and leads with optimism. He has coached other programs to championship success before.

Tracy Mitchell, McClatchy, first season: An alum of the school when the Lions were annually competing for Metro League crowns, Mitchell takes over a program that went 2-8 in 2022 but has the makings of being formidable, including a supportive AD in Rob Feickert.

Brandon Pacheco, Union Mine, first season: A young coach and a talented one who was the defensive coordinator for Pitman of Turlock; BP takes over an established program used to success.

Justin Reber, Inderkum, first season: Reber is quick to remind that he is an interim coach and offensive coordinator, keeping the seat warm for head coach Reggie Harris, who has been suspended. But the Tigers need some Reber magic now.

Jason Stowers, Colfax, second season: Taking over for a coaching legend in 230-game winner Tony Martello didn’t intimidate Stowers. It inspired him. The tradition roars on with a team capable of making another section-title run.

John Straw, Rosemont: A longtime assistant to longtime head man Rick Wanlin, now an assistant coach, Straw led the Wolverines to the playoffs in 2022. With star RB Michael Cherry back, expect a postseason return.

Marcus Tribble, River City, first season: The man is comfortable in his own skin, gleefully wearing Sesame Street T-shirts, and no wonder: He’s all about optimism and making the game fun.

Otis Washington, Western Sierra, second season: Washington wants to make football as important on the Rocklin campus as the rigorous academic standards with an emphasis on fun, starting with RB Ethan Ivens.