Gorman’s new coach bringing energy to talented roster

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Bishop Gorman High first-year coach Tony Sanchez doesn’t hide his expectations.

He expects the players on his team to be accountable and they will have to earn their position on the field. Naturally, he expects the Gaels to compete for the state title — not just this year, but every year.

So, when one of the top performers on Gorman’s star-studded roster was late for practice Tuesday, Sanchez didn’t back down from his claim that no jobs were safe. He told the athlete — a three-year starter who is committed to a Pac-10 school — to never be late again or he’d be off the team.

Seconds later, he looked over as the 70-plus players who make up the Gaels varsity and junior varsity team were going through stretching drills and noticed a player simply going through the motions. It was another one of Gorman’s eight Division I prospects, and the coach went right back to his mantra. “You keep that up and you won’t play for us,” he barked.

Gorman went 26-2 over the last two years, going undefeated in winning the state title in 2007 and advancing to the Sunset Regional championship game last year before losing to eventual state runner-up Palo Verde.

Despite the success, something was missing.

Enter Sanchez.

The athletes believe the high-energy, no-nonsense coach is a perfect fit for the program. Gorman has four players who have committed to Pac-10 schools and four others with offers from major Division I programs.

Still, that doesn’t mean they will all be starting on Aug. 28 when Gorman opens its season against Dixie High in St. George, Utah. It seems impossible that an athlete good enough to earn a scholarship from a top-25 college program wouldn’t be a shoe-in to start on his high school team.

Then again, this isn’t the Gorman football program of the last two years.

“Coach let us know that there are consequences for our actions,” said senior Xavier Grimble, the nation’s No. 1 ranked tight end according to Rivals.com who is committed to Southern California. “I wish he could have been my coach for all four years. He brings a discipline we were missing.”

Sanchez, who came from Cal High in San Ramon, Calif., has earned the respect of his players. And, he proudly says, they are also earning his respect. For as tough as Sanchez has been on his team, he has often turned into a cheerleader during the process of implementing his pro-style offense.

“I have always believed you have to hold people accountable and they have to learn to hold one another accountable,” Sanchez said. “Giving your best effort at practice is not going to be an option.”

The cupboard was hardly bare when Sanchez took over for Bob Altshuler in the spring, especially on defense.

Gorman held nine of 14 opponents under 10 points last year, including four shutouts, and return several contributors from that unit. Linebacker Evan Palelei and defensive end Alex Turner, both who have committed to Stanford, will be three-year starters, and junior defensive lineman Jalen Grimble — Xavier Grimble’s cousin — already has offers from Southern California, UCLA, LSU and others.

Defensive end Ian Bobak saw limited action last year but has an offer from Fresno State and interest from other schools. Defensive back Taylor Spencer, whose primary position is wide receiver, has offers from UNLV and Utah.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent on this team,” Sanchez said. “Not too many teams can say they have one Division I player. Obviously, with me being a new coach and bringing in a new style, there has been a learning curve. But our kids have bought in and they have definitely paid the price.”

Offensively, the Gaels aren’t as experienced.

But with senior tackle Geoffrey Gibson, a Cal commit, and others from the defensive line playing both ways, running backs Victor Belen and Shaquille Powell should have plenty of room to run.

Sanchez admits drawing up plays for his talented group has been fun.

“It will be exciting to see some of those Jimmys and Joes that we are talking about turn a 5-yard play into a 60-yard touchdown,” Sanchez said.

One drawback of having so many talented athletes is there is only one touchdown to be scored, one ball to catch and one tackle to be made.

But team leaders like Xavier Grimble and Turner says they are willing to sacrifice personal glory for what is ultimately the most important — winning a state championship.

“It’s all for the good of the team,” Xavier Grimble said. “Everyone has to be able to work with each other. We can’t be selfish.”

Plus, it will take more than eight Division I players to succeed.

“You don’t win high school championships with your five or six superstars,” Sanchez said. “You win with the kids who won’t be going Division I. It’s our job to develop those type of kids to win a championship.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 990-2662 or ray.brewer@lasvegassun.com.