2019 FALL SPORT HONOR COACHES
SELECTED BY CENTRAL COAST SECTION COLLEAGUES
The Central Coast Section has announced recipients of the 2019-20 CCS Fall Sports Honor Coaches Awards:
• Boys Cross Country – Phil Pompei, St. Francis High School
• Girls Cross Country – Albert Caruana, Crystal Springs Uplands School
• Football – Jeff Scheller, San Mateo High School
• Girls Golf – Ie-Chen Cheng, The Harker School
• Girls Tennis – John Musser, Fremont High School
• Girls Volleyball – Mike Rubin, St. Francis High School
• Boys Water Polo – Jim Fannin, Stevenson School
• Girls Water Polo – Doug Pickford, Gilroy High School
These exceptional coaches were selected by their Central Coast Section colleagues to be recognized during the current 2019 fall season.
Phil Pompei - Phil Pompei has come full circle, returning to his alma mater, the Saint Francis Lancers, to teach and coach Boys Cross Country. He has done an outstanding job over the past six years. The participation rate at St. Francis is very high, with over 60 boys coming out each year. Coach Pompei is cited largely for the reason why the program has been successful working with all student athletes at all levels. The Lancers have won multiple CCS team titles along with the coveted California State Title in 2017 under his leadership. The University of Illinois product teaches Religion, assists with Campus Ministry, Immersion Retreats and Service Projects. When Phil is not coaching, he is the PA announcer for the Volleyball, Basketball, Wrestling and Football teams. Coach Pompei is also the Volunteer Coordinator for Hope’s Corner, Inc.
Albert Caruana - Albert Caruana is considered a guru and authority in the sport of Cross-Country. He has coached at Crystal Springs Uplands School for the last 24 seasons winning 12 CCS team titles along the way (8 boys, 4 Girls). Coach Caruana’s teams have finished in the top ten at the California State Cross Country Meet a combined 8 times since 2008. When Coach Caruana is not coaching he is writing about the sport on his website "Cross Country Express", which has covered both Cross Country and Track & Field in Northern California, and in one of the go-to site for CCS Cross Country and Track & Field athletes. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, he has been a PE teacher in the Mind/Body Program at Crystal Springs Uplands School since 1996. Coach Caruana has been the US Cross Country coach since 2008. He started the high school track team at Crystal Springs Uplands in 2002 with just one girl which has since grown to 40 students in the past decade. Coach Albert is also the founding coach of the middle school track team in 2015.
Jeff Scheller - Jeff Scheller has been the Varsity Head Football Coach at San Mateo High School since 2006. Coach Scheller has guided the Bearcats to two league titles during his 13 seasons. Jeff fulfills many roles on campus including athletic director on a campus that fields over 20 different teams. His passion and enthusiasm for athletic competition and fielding competive teams has not gone unoticed by the San Mateo Adminstration. Coach Scheller spends countless hours in the off season working and developing his athletes into productive citizens. A product of the CCS, the Hillsdale High School, and San Jose State grad serves on the San Mateo Hall of Fame Committee and helps organize the annual dinner, which includes scholarship opportunities for students. Coach Scheller enjoys spending time with his wife Tita and his four children JP (19), Monet (18), Aisea (14), Aliyah (9).
Ie-Chen Cheng - In a sport known primarily as an individual sport such as golf, Coach Ie has promoted the concept of team since she was first hired eleven years ago at The Harker School. She believes in it, supports it, lives it even when some kids and families came into the program trying to fight it. Coach sticks to her guns and hasn’t backed down from keeping the kids committed and supporting each other as a team. The results speak for themselves. She coached the girls program to a 2nd place CCS finish in 2018, their strongest finish ever, in addition to a 4th place finish in 2017. In 2018 she coached them to their 1st league title since 2006. She also has coached the boys program to six straight WBAL titles (2014-2019), a NorCal Championship 2017, a 6th place CIF State finish in 2016, and a 5th place CIF State finish 2017. Coach Ie prepares golfers for the team concept many will see in college of which she’s helped place many at the next level. Coach Ie was also named the California Coaches Association NorCal Boys Golf coach of the year in 2016.
John Musser - Noted for his cool and calm demeanor, Fremont High School Spanish teacher and Girls Tennis coach John Musser has managed to find the right balance between on court and off court success. Coach Musser is the consummate professional, finding ways to motivate his student athletes to do their best in all aspects of life. His student-athletes connect with his sense of humor and knowledge of the sport allow Coach Musser to connect with a wide range of students. He has fielded some competitive teams with high levels of participation the past 8 seasons.
Mike Rubin - Entering into his 8th season, this well respected physics teacher and leader in the school community has had quite an impact on the St. Francis Boys and Girls Volleyball teams. Coach Rubin’s colleagues and students gravitate towards his energetic and passionate approach to teaching and coaching. The UC Santa Cruz product is studious in his approach to the coaching profession, applying the works of noted authors in the field of athletics. Mike Rubin has managed to create a successful program that his student-athletes thoroughly enjoy while becoming positive contributing citizens.
Jim Fannin - Caoch Fannin has served the student athletes of Stevenson School for over 20 years as the aquatics director and Water Polo coach. He is credited with starting the Girls Water Polo program and while also coaching the Boys team to many league championships and post season victories. As a result of his countless contributions to athletics, he was the very first recipient of the Don Dormer Coaches Award. Coach Fannin’s contributions don’t end at the swimming pool, he is also a staunch supporter of several charities and non-profits groups in the Monterey community. Athletic Director Justin Clymo commented “Jim Fannin is the perfect example of a coach who coaches for all the right reasons.”
Doug Pickford - Coach Doug Pickford has accomplished much during his stellar career as a Water Polo player and coach. The former UC Santa Barbara All-American, has guided the Gilroy High School Girls Water Polo team to league titles and post season play. Coach Pickford has created a challenging and competitve atmosphere in the Mustang boys and girls programs while fostering collegiality and high standards among the student-athletes. Under his leadership, the Girls Water Polo program has grown and the student-athletes are among the highest achieving in the classroom. Coach Doug Pickford also volunteers at the Garlic Festival the last several years and is highly regarded and respected in the community.
The Central Coast Section Honor Coach Award is presented to those coaches whose colleagues believe have made outstanding contributions to that sport at their school, within their league, in the community, and to the CCS. At the time of nomination, they must be actively coaching and have been coaching their respective sport for a minimum of five years at the varsity level. Attributes considered are: maintenance of professional standards of conduct, general service to the respective sport, outstanding coaching accomplishments, additional contributions to school and community, and being a role model and inspiration to athletes, coaches, teachers, administrators, parents and the public.
Phil Pompei, Albert Caruana, Jeff Scheller, Ie-Chen Cheng, John Musser, Mike Rubin, Jim Fannin, and Doug Pickford were nominated by their respective high schools as embodiments of those qualities. Fall Sports Honor Coach Awards recipients will be recognized at the CCS Championships in their respective sports.
