Willie Herrera no longer considers himself an honorary member of the Lancer family.
After serving six years as an assistant coach for East Union High’s football program, the last two as defensive coordinator, the 30-year-old Manteca native and 1999 graduate of St. Mary’s was named the varsity squad’s head coach last Tuesday, Feb. 8. He is also a special education teacher at the school.
Both of his parents and wife, Melissa, are East Union alumni. He has cousins, including lower-levels football coach Carlos Herrera, who graduated from EU.
Dominic Barba, the Bulletin’s 2010 All-Area Defensive Player of the Year, is Herrera’s younger brother and a senior at East Union.
“Even though I went to St. Mary’s, I’ve never forgotten about East Union,” Willie Herrera said Monday. “I grew up wearing my dad’s East Union football helmet and watching my cousins play at East Union.
“There was always a special bond there for me. It’s a special place, and the sense of family on campus is amazing.”
Herrera was instrumental in East Union’s breakout 2010 season as its defensive coordinator. The Lancers went 7-4 for its first winning season since 1999 and made its first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearance since 1992.
Herrera’s defensive scheme anchored EU’s stunning 10-7 win over previously undefeated rival Manteca in Week 10, a victory that assured the team its postseason berth.
Sharing the success with Dominic, the team’s standout linebacker, made it all even more special for Herrera.
“Those are memories we’ll have for the rest of our lives,” Herrera said.
Herrera replaces longtime East Union coach Mike James, who has been involved with the program as both player and coach for 28 years. The Lancers went 19-50-1 in seven years under James as head coach.
James may return to the coaching staff, possibly at the lower levels. Herrera shares James’ passion and wants to continue his tradition of building lasting relationships with former players.
“The man loves East Union and the football program,” Herrera said. “He’s going to help out anyway he wants to, but that’s something that’s still in discussion.”
James kept his intention of making the 2010 season his last a secret to everyone, but he thought all along that Herrera would be a prime candidate to replace him. He said Herrera’s ability to adjust his game plan on the fly is a big strength as a coach and counts his all-around enthusiasm as another.
“What a great person to take over the position,” James said. “East Union has been blessed with a lot of good head coaches, and he will be right in line with all the guys I followed.”
Herrera was a standout fullback and cornerback while at St. Mary’s. He was a team captain in 1998 when he was named to the all-San Joaquin Athletic Association first team while leading the Rams to the league title.
He went on to play linebacker in his four years of college. Herrera was a teammate of East Union strength and conditioning coach Scott Sacuskie at Modesto Junior College, where he was also linebackers coach for one season.
Former Sierra High standout Ryan Teicheira, EU’s offensive coordinator for the sophomore team in 2009, was Herrera’s roommate and teammate at Eastern Oregon University. Teicheira is back at his alma mater as an assistant coach.
While at Eastern Oregon, Herrera was once named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Defensive Player of the Week and was a candidate to earn All-America honors.
He picked up valuable experience and knowledge of the game at every stop, but it has all led him back home.
“I might be a St. Mary’s graduate, but I bleed red and blue right now — this is my school,” Herrera said of East Union. “It’s just a complete honor to be in this position, and I hope the alumni, the current students and anyone who has any connection with East Union High School is as excited as I am.”
After serving six years as an assistant coach for East Union High’s football program, the last two as defensive coordinator, the 30-year-old Manteca native and 1999 graduate of St. Mary’s was named the varsity squad’s head coach last Tuesday, Feb. 8. He is also a special education teacher at the school.
Both of his parents and wife, Melissa, are East Union alumni. He has cousins, including lower-levels football coach Carlos Herrera, who graduated from EU.
Dominic Barba, the Bulletin’s 2010 All-Area Defensive Player of the Year, is Herrera’s younger brother and a senior at East Union.
“Even though I went to St. Mary’s, I’ve never forgotten about East Union,” Willie Herrera said Monday. “I grew up wearing my dad’s East Union football helmet and watching my cousins play at East Union.
“There was always a special bond there for me. It’s a special place, and the sense of family on campus is amazing.”
Herrera was instrumental in East Union’s breakout 2010 season as its defensive coordinator. The Lancers went 7-4 for its first winning season since 1999 and made its first Sac-Joaquin Section playoff appearance since 1992.
Herrera’s defensive scheme anchored EU’s stunning 10-7 win over previously undefeated rival Manteca in Week 10, a victory that assured the team its postseason berth.
Sharing the success with Dominic, the team’s standout linebacker, made it all even more special for Herrera.
“Those are memories we’ll have for the rest of our lives,” Herrera said.
Herrera replaces longtime East Union coach Mike James, who has been involved with the program as both player and coach for 28 years. The Lancers went 19-50-1 in seven years under James as head coach.
James may return to the coaching staff, possibly at the lower levels. Herrera shares James’ passion and wants to continue his tradition of building lasting relationships with former players.
“The man loves East Union and the football program,” Herrera said. “He’s going to help out anyway he wants to, but that’s something that’s still in discussion.”
James kept his intention of making the 2010 season his last a secret to everyone, but he thought all along that Herrera would be a prime candidate to replace him. He said Herrera’s ability to adjust his game plan on the fly is a big strength as a coach and counts his all-around enthusiasm as another.
“What a great person to take over the position,” James said. “East Union has been blessed with a lot of good head coaches, and he will be right in line with all the guys I followed.”
Herrera was a standout fullback and cornerback while at St. Mary’s. He was a team captain in 1998 when he was named to the all-San Joaquin Athletic Association first team while leading the Rams to the league title.
He went on to play linebacker in his four years of college. Herrera was a teammate of East Union strength and conditioning coach Scott Sacuskie at Modesto Junior College, where he was also linebackers coach for one season.
Former Sierra High standout Ryan Teicheira, EU’s offensive coordinator for the sophomore team in 2009, was Herrera’s roommate and teammate at Eastern Oregon University. Teicheira is back at his alma mater as an assistant coach.
While at Eastern Oregon, Herrera was once named National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Defensive Player of the Week and was a candidate to earn All-America honors.
He picked up valuable experience and knowledge of the game at every stop, but it has all led him back home.
“I might be a St. Mary’s graduate, but I bleed red and blue right now — this is my school,” Herrera said of East Union. “It’s just a complete honor to be in this position, and I hope the alumni, the current students and anyone who has any connection with East Union High School is as excited as I am.”
