Eight questions for Tom Gault
Tom Gault (right) and Good Livin’ bandmate Jim Lambert played the Crowley Ballfield dedication on Tuesday and play the Tioga Gas Mart on Sunday, June 20. (Photo: Geisel)
In response to the announcement that once and future Mammoth High School football legend Tom Gault will return as head coach of the program after a one year hiatus, The Sheet contacted Gault to ask the burning questions preoccupying enquiring minds.
Sheet: How did they get you back? What was the pitch?
Gault: Last January, I was asked if I had any ideas to strengthen the football program. I said the weight room needed to be open and the kids encouraged to begin weight training. We did that, and the response was very positive, it became clear that there were kids who were willing to do the work to prepare for football. Through the winter months they continued to work hard and gain momentum. May rolled around, and we had about 35 kids come out for spring football, even though we had to practice in the middle school gym the first day due to weather and finished our spring game on the last day with snow on the field.
The pitch came from the kids, not in words, but in works.
Sheet: Is there a succession plan?
Gault: Absolutely, and it’s all about your next question. We have what I believe to be some great young talent on the coaching staff and also among the upcoming students. All these guys need is experience to get them over the bumps in the road and they’ll be ready to roll on their own. If I have anything, it’s experience, and there’s only one way to get that.
I will provide the players and coaches with a positive experience, which they’ll be able to repeat in the future.
Sheet: Did the young talent coming up make the job tempting?
Gault: See above.
Sheet: Can we redshirt Cortez so he can play for another season?
Gault: Yeah, and Oswaldo Ayala, Eddie Diaz, Dalton Morley, Zack Harris, Scott Somers and … you get the picture.
Sheet: Have you suddenly decided to become pass-happy? Will Don Coryell be your offensive coordinator?
Gault: Are you serious?
Sheet: Okay, so who will comprise the coaching staff?
Gault: Coaches will be myself, Marty Thompson, Brian Pennington, and Jason Patterson. Marty will be the offensive coordinator and will coach the quarterbacks and receivers. Marty is a former Mammoth Husky (class of ‘88), and brings Division I and NFL experience to our staff, having played at Fresno State and at Detroit. Coach Pennington will coach the backs and defensive backs. He brings many seasons of coaching experience in football as well as soccer. Coach Jason Patterson comes to us with playing experience at Central Washington. He’ll assist Marty with offense, and coach the offensive and defensive lines. And Randy Schienle, who assisted me for 18 years, will round out the staff.
Sheet: Will you be able to field an 11-man team.
Gault: Yes, we have a full schedule. You can check it out on the Mammoth High School website (www.mammothusd.org/home).
Sheet: What does the roster look like?
Gault: We will have between 20 and 25 players. We’re heavy on linemen (no pun intended) with Francisco and Alejandro Martinez, Bryson Blake, Lalo Alejandre, Walter Perez, Alex Carrillo, Dillon Bertolina, Lalo Galvan, Frank Lugo, Juan Ferro, Ryan Geller and Ramon Calixto. Receivers are Dean Mercer, Robbie Escallier, Isidro Vargas, Brad Rowan and Tyler Wallasch. Backs are Jorge Galvan, Eli Martin, Elijah Clancy, Oscar Hernandez, Eliseo Lopez, Brennen Peters and Tyler Wormhoudt.
