Mustangs garner renewed purpose

Rick Devereux

While spring football practice for most coaches is a time to

re-evaluate talent, teach techniques and prepare for the upcoming

season, Costa Mesa’s Jay Johnson is just getting to know his players

and staff.

The first-year coach, who took over for Tom Baldwin in February,

likes what he sees out of a team that went 2-8 last season, 2-4 in

the Golden West League.

“Things are going very well,” Johnson said. “We have about 45 kids

right now. In just [a short time] they have come a long way and seem

to be picking up things very well.”

Johnson has been a football coach for 14 years, the last two as

head coach at Fairmont Prep in the San Joaquin League. He guided the

Huskies to a 5-14 record.

Johnson will change the Mustangs offense from a wing-T, to a

spread offense.

The defense, which used four linemen and four linebackers with

constant blitzing under Baldwin, will have four linemen and three

linebackers with the focus more on pass coverage than pressuring the

quarterback.

“Offensively, we want to spread the field, but it will probably be

a 60/40 split between passing and running the ball,” Johnson said.

“Our defense will be a college four-three. We probably have eight

different defensive packages with about five of them dealing with

zone coverage.”

Johnson has five assistants but said he is still in the process of

hiring more.

Bill Lux, a former assistant under Dave Perkins and a Costa Mesa

alumnus, will coach the quarterbacks.

Paul Serio, the wrestling coach, will help with the offensive and

defensive linemen.

Jasbir Seewat, an outside linebacker last season with the

Mustangs, will assist coaching defensive backs and slot receivers.

The two remaining coaches -- Ben Schoening and David Mamelli --

are new to the Mustangs but have worked with Johnson before.

The new coaching staff will be counting on quarterback Ryan

French, defensive back Tony Krikorian, running back Tyler Legg,

interior lineman Robert de la Cruz, receiver/defensive back Evan

Hunter and safety/running back Jamison Morris as the main returners.

Johnson said biggest injury in practice so far has been a pulled

hamstring.

The Mustangs open the season at Brea Olinda High Sept. 2 and three

more road games follow.

The first home game will be Sept. 30 against crosstown rival

Estancia.

2005 Schedule

Sept. 2 -- at Brea Olinda

Sept. 9 -- Corona del Mar at Newport Harbor

Sept. 15 -- at Huntington Beach

Sept. 23 -- at Laguna Beach

Sept. 30 -- Estancia (home) at OCC

Oct. 7 -- Westminster (home) at OCC

Oct. 15 -- Santa Ana at Santa Ana Bowl

Oct. 21 -- Saddleback (home) at OCC

Oct. 28 -- Ocean View (home) at Newport Harbor

Nov. 11 -- Orange at Kelley Stadium, 1 p.m.

All games 7 p.m. unless noted.