Football: Jeff Engilman isn’t going out quietly

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Jeff Engilman has never been low key. In winning City Section championships at Manual Arts, Sylmar and Arleta, the man has been always intense.

As Fred Grimes, a long-time Engilman assistant, once said, ‘There are certain things that happen. The sun goes up. The sun goes down, and Engilman yells.’

This is supposed to be Engilman’s final season of coaching, and his Arleta players are trying to deliver a City title.

Arleta plays Fairfax on Friday in a City Division II semifinal at Monroe.

Dan Kelley, who has coached with Engilman for 16 years and should be a leading candidate to replace him, said the seniors are determined to make their final season and Engilman’s last season a memorable one.

As for how he has been able to coach for so long with Engilman, Kelley said, ‘I think what helps is I played for him.’

As for rumors Engilman has mellowed, Kelley said, ‘I really don’t think he’s calmed down. He only knows one speed.’

-- Eric Sondheimer