Football: L.A. Jordan picks Rickey Thenarse to take over program

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At 23, Rickey Thenarse figures to be the youngest football coach in the City Section this fall. He has been named head coach at L.A. Jordan High School, where he was a standout running back before playing for Nebraska.

‘I just went in and applied for the job,’ Thenarese said.

Thenarse graduated from Nebraska in 2010, then tried to make the Seattle Seahawks last year. He will be a walk-on coach for Jordan while trying to become a substitute teacher.

Former Jordan Coach Elijah Asante, who coached Thenarse, said he believes his former player can be an outstanding coach.

‘He’s going to be a great coach,’ Asante said. ‘He’s been a ballplayer all his life.’

Thenarse said he understands what Jordan needs in a coach.

‘To be the head coach at Jordan, you have to know the kids and have a relationship with them,’ he said. ‘I feel I’m a role model, and they’ll respect me.’

-- Eric Sondheimer