Anthony Linebaugh has rolled up his sleeves and begun his rebuilding project with the San Marcos High football program.
Linebaugh is working on fundamentals skills and determining where the players best fit in the team.
?We?re trying to help each other find a role on the team, so you have everybody know they?re contributing in some way,? said Linebaugh, who comes to San Marcos from Liberty Ranch High in Galt, where in three years he guided a brand new program from a JV team to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals and a 9-4 season.
Linebaugh is changing the culture in the San Marcos program.
?I believe it?s going in the right direction,? he said after a recent practice. ?Change is slow and sometimes change for the better is hard. It?s involved some points where there was some realization from players they had to understand the level of commitment had to increase. The culture of individual commitment to a team goal is starting to come around.?
Linebaugh said he has a good mix of seniors and juniors and only a couple of sophomores on the varsity. ?I?m trying to keep that group together.?
The team has an experienced quarterback in Wesley Ghan-Gibson, a 6-2, 190-pound junior who is a three-sport athlete.
?He?s very coachable and responds well to direction,? Linebaugh said. ?He has a passion to be successful and to make those around him successful, which is what you want from a quarterback.?
One of Ghan-Gibson?s primary passing targets figures to be sophomore Lucas Lamoutte, a 6-2, 200-pound tight end. Junior Austin Pugh is another threat.
The running game will be led by hard-charging Julio Martinez, a 5-7 165-pound senior.
Ryan Manchester (6-0, 190) is emerging as a leader on defense at linebacker.
There?s going to be a lot of teaching going on at San Marcos and, based on Linebaugh?s track record, it will pay off.
?We want to be a disciplined football team,? he said of an immediate team goal. ?We talk about discipline, knowing what we?re doing … People should come to our games and should say, ?Hey, this team is disciplined.? Everybody understands their assignment, whether we execute it all the time, that?s part of the process, but we should know what to do. The discipline of understanding of what everyone?s role is is a goal that is a short-term goal.?
TEAM BREAKDOWN
Last year’s record: 1-9
2012 Schedule: CLICK HERE
Top returning players: Wes Ghan-Gibson, Jr., QB, 6-2, 190; Thomas Nelson, Sr., RB/DB, 5-8, 170; Julio Martinez, Sr., RB/LB, 5-7 165; Harrison Haws, Sr., OL, 5-11 185; Jose Lara, Sr., C, 5-10 245.
Promising newcomers: Austin Pugh, Jr., WR/DB, 6-0, 165; Esteban Alfaro, Jr., RB/LB, 5-9 170; Mike Hernandez, Jr. OL, 5-10 215; Lucas Lamoutte, So., TE, 6-2 200; Cameron Whitney, Jr.,RB/DB, 5-9 165.
Strengths on offense: A QB who is a student of the game, unselfish running backs, and a hard working offensive line
Strengths on defense: Good balance of seniors and juniors, active unit, passionate linebackers
Outlook for this year: We will be disciplined in all phases of the game. I look for continued leadership to develop from both juniors and seniors. Also, we are seeking a balanced offensive approach on offense and an active defense.
