Raby takes over as new barons field general
Over the last 30 years, Greg Raby and Carl Parrick have been inseparable in forming a successful gridiron coaching partnership. Three decades ago, they joined forces at Southwest High School and built a successful program from scratch.
After moving over to Bonita Vista High School, their partnership continued to thrive for 19 additional years. In both programs Parrick served as the head coach and Raby directed the defense.
No longer working side by side, their positions have flip-flopped for the upcoming season.
Raby is now the head coach at Bonita Vista while Parrick is coordinating the defense for rookie head coach Tyler Arciaga at San Ysidro High School.
“I’ve worked for many years coaching different teams and I thought I had some idea of all that (being a head coach) entails,” Raby said. “From the trivial things like ordering Band-aids to the more important things like hiring your assistant coaches, an awful lot goes into it. You learn (by doing) on the job and I am sure it is going to take a couple of years to really feel comfortable with everything. You need a lot of help to run a successful program, so you have to delegate the responsibilities and rely on other people.”
Having been a big part of Bonita Vista football for the last two decades, Raby has developed a good feel for what makes a program successful.
“My philosophy is very similar to Carl’s,” Raby said. “Over the years we grew together. I learned so many good things from him, things like how to build relationships with your players and parents, how to work with your booster club and the importance of establishing traditions. I won’t change any of those things. We both stress that our athletes are students first and football players second. The differences between us are mainly in our personalities.”
Raby said that there will be more emphasis on strength and conditioning and proper nutrition this season. And with money in short supply, more time will have to be devoted to fundraising.
“This year we won’t do any (major) traveling, but I hope to go back to that. I have always felt that traveling was a great learning experience. Going to different parts of the country and learning the local history was a great thing for these kids. So was the bonding that took place on those trips.”
Raby hopes that his players learn more than just the Xs and Os of football this season.
“I hope every kid learns to challenge himself to reach his full potential. My job as a coach is to create an atmosphere where they can learn and improve. Secondly, I hope that they have fun and really enjoy the emotion and enthusiasm of the game. I would also like to see them develop a camaraderie and build relationships that last for many years.”
Besides decades of experience as a player and a coach, Raby brings his fiery personality and his unwavering enthusiasm into his new role. A true student of the game, Raby has never stopped learning. His unique ability to convey that knowledge and reach his athletes should make him an effective head coach.
Cougars look to Arciaga for leadership
In the last seven years, San Ysidro High School has had a number of talented football players, three different head coaches and various philosophies. The Cougars have also enjoyed precious little success. In each of the last three seasons, San Ysidro has managed just a single win against nine losses. Energetic new head coach Tyler Arciaga hopes to reverse that trend and turn the Cougars — perpetual doormats of the Metro Conference — into winners.
Arciaga knows what it takes to succeed on the gridiron. The 2001 Bonita Vista High School grad enjoyed a three-year career quarterbacking the Barons. Passing for more than 2,000 yards as a senior, he combined for 15 touchdowns and led his team to a league championship. The former Metro Conference MVP gained a full ride to UNLV and later starred at Sacred Heart University. He parlayed that success into an opportunity to play professionally in Europe.
To aid him in what will be no small challenge, Arciaga has assembled a knowledgeable, veteran staff. Many of these coaches share a common background. Among them are his father, R.C., and his former BVHS head coach Carl Parrick.
“I was fortunate to be able to wrangle him out of retirement,” Arciaga said of Parrick. “He is helping out as my defensive coordinator and he has been an immense help in guiding me through the many behind the scenes things that come with being a head coach. Actually, about half of the staff has Bonita Vista roots. I think it is important to surround yourself with people you can believe in and trust.”
Arciaga hopes to gain that same trust from his players and their parents. He knows that building a successful football program requires a strong commitment from everyone involved. He has thus far enjoyed a lot of support from SYHS principal Hector Espinosa.
“A successful program starts with an administration that wants to win and puts the proper things in place (that will allow that to happen),” Arciaga said. “Mr. Espinosa has been very hands-on by going out and talking to kids and encouraging them to come out for the team. He is our biggest supporter and I think that attitude will trickle down through our staff. We want to build a culture that teaches these kids how to win.”
Enjoying success and victory on the football field is a big part of what Arciaga is trying to accomplish. But that is not the only goal.
“Hopefully, they will become better football players through being part of this program, but there is more to it than that,” the new Cougar head coach said. “I want to mold and help these kids to become better young men and better community members. I want them to look back on being in this program as a time when they learned something that they were able to use later on in life.”
