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Former Sierra standout Ryan Teicheira hired to lead Lathrop football
Bulletin sports 2020-21
Ryan Teicheira, middle, celebrates with the rest of the coaching staff after Sierra secured its state championship at Chowchilla High on Dec. 19, 2015. - photo by HIME ROMERO/Bulletin file photo

Lathrop High announced the hiring of its fourth football coach in the school’s short history on Friday, welcoming Sierra graduate Ryan Teicheira. 

“The hiring committee was very impressed with Coach Teicheira and his enthusiasm, not only for football, but for the chance to interact with build a positive relationship with the community of Lathrop,” LHS Athletic Director Chuck Selna stated in a press release. “He is the right fit for our football program, school and city.

“I believe that Coach Teicheira will lead our student-athletes to be the best they can be by teaching them how to compete, be good teammates and doing things the right way. We are very excited for Ryan and his family to be a part of Spartan Nation.”

Teicheira and his family are deeply rooted in the area and Manteca Unified School District. He graduated from Sierra in 2001 and later returned to serve as an assistant coach for then-head football coach Jeff Harbison. Teicheira was the offensive playcaller for the historic 2015 team that claimed Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV and California Interscholastic Federation Division IV-A State Bowl championships. Other assistants from that team, such as Andrew Panigada, Mark Rangel and Justin Silva, have been part of Lathrop’s staff the past three seasons. Previous head coach Joe Pirillo recently stepped down after accepting a teaching position at Riverbank High. Pirillo led the Spartans to their only postseason appearance in 2015. 

Teicheira has also been an assistant for East Union and most recently Oakdale, joining Trent Merzon’s staff to coach the varsity wide receivers and running backs. His coaching experience includes baseball, as he headed the Delta Charter varsity team for two years and Sierra’s JV for one. 

After high school, Teicheira continued his football playing career as a running back at Modesto Junior College and Eastern Oregon. He is reuniting with his old high school coach Greg Leland, now the principal of Lathrop. 

“I am very excited and grateful for this opportunity,” Teicheira stated. “There are a lot of good things that Lathrop Athletics are doing, and I look forward to contributing to that culture and success. I know that the administration and staff fully support and have a vested interest in all of the athletic programs, which makes Lathrop High and exciting place to coach.”