Coach feature: Dave Perkins - Back home again

Barry Faulkner

Though a serpentine career path increases the degree of difficulty,

the past still catches up with Estancia High football coach Dave Perkins.

And, when the odd phone call or occasional chance encounter reconnects

Perkins with a former player, he is allowed to relish the deepest rewards

his profession can provide.

Now, finally back in Orange County after working 18 seasons at various

campuses in the Inland Empire, the 1970 Newport Harbor High graduate

looks forward to building up the Eagles’ program, while laying down

permanent roots.

“I think it would be really neat to become known in this community as

the Estancia High football coach,” Perkins, entering his third season

with the Eagles, said. “And, if I could stay in one place for awhile, my

former players wouldn’t have such a heck of a time finding me.”

Perkins has found success at several coaching stops, since beginning

his head coaching career at La Sierra in 1983.

“Got that job, basically because nobody else wanted it,” said Perkins,

who was an assistant for three seasons before assuming the reins.

After his 0-10 debut season extended the school losing streak to 17,

Perkins led the Eagles to a 34-10-1 record his final four years there

(1984-87).

He then moved on to Corona, which had gone 1-29 the three seasons

before his arrival.

A housing boom, as well as Perkins’ trademark positive attitude and

work ethic, led to an 8-5 season which ended in the CIF Southern Section

semifinals. And though the Perkins-led Panthers went 10-4 and won the CIF

Division V title the following year, he terms his first season at Corona

one the most memorable experiences of his career.

“To go from 1-29 to the CIF semifinals really generated some

enthusiasm from the community,” he said.

After stops at Redlands and Upland, Perkins inherited a woeful San

Bernardino program. His four years there ended with an 8-3 season that

included a league championship. But when given the opportunity to coach

at Estancia, he pulled up stakes once again.

Perkins, 1-9 and 6-4 his first two campaigns in Costa Mesa, said he

enjoys the underdog role, which the Eagles are hoping to shake this fall.

“I enjoy being in situations where there’s something to build,” he

said. “We’re the little guys from the other side of the track. We don’t

have the players other schools do, or the money, so we have to play with

more pride.”

Perkins said the transition from losing to winning is all about

creating confidence.

“I talk a lot about the mental approach to the game, but you also have

to build them up physically, so they mentally see themselves competing

with different teams.”

Perkins said he tries to follow all constructive criticism with

positive reinforcement and he also believes both he and his staff need to

set a strong example with their work ethic and attitude.

He admits his attitude has improved since returning to community in

which he grew up, competing in football and baseball through high school.

“It has really been exciting to come home,” the Huntington Beach

resident said. “My tank was empty at San Bernardino, but I’ve been

refreshed here. It’s a good job at a great school and I really think

things are headed in the right direction.”

Perkins, who teaches physical education, was directed toward coaching

when he quickly realized his aversion to a more traditional work routine.

“I knew wearing a coat and tie and working 9-5 wasn’t for me,” he

said. “I didn’t really even like being in the classroom. I enjoy PE,

because I can be outside and stay active. I’d rather be in the sunshine,

dodging the sea gull poop.”

Though current and future Estancia athletes should know where to find

Perkins, he said he still encounters former players from other schools.

“Not long ago, I bumped into a kid from one of my first La Sierra

teams who was (at Estancia) watching his daughter play a summer league

basketball game. His dad was killed the summer before I got there, and I

remember spending a lot of time with him. We talked about it and he

thanked me for helping him get through it. That’s the kind of stuff that

is so neat about what we do.”