E Town
06-21-2007, 04:46 PM
Mike Reynoso said age is just a number. The Woodside High administration felt the same way.
Reynoso, 23, became the youngest basketball coach — and perhaps the youngest coach in any sport, boys or girls — in the Peninsula Athletic League when he was recently hired to take over the post left vacated when former coach Darrell Barbour took a position with Sacred Heart Cathedral. Despite his youth, Reynoso was confident that he would land the job.
When Reynoso found out that he was going to be the Wildcats’ new hoops coach, a dream had been realized. Reynoso was born and raised in Redwood City and grew up knowing all about Woodside’s rich tradition, a program that did well under Barbour, one of the most respected coaches in all of the Central Coast Section. While acknowledging Barbour’s success, Reynoso wants to leave his own imprint on the program.
“Woodside boys’ basketball has always been a powerhouse,” Reynoso said. “I want to keep things that way and even take it to another level. I wish the season was starting next week. I’m ready to get into it and make my own path.”
Reynoso doesn’t have previous head coaching varsity experience but was a varsity assistant at La Jolla High near San Diego and the school’s freshman head coach for one year each. A 2002 Serra High graduate, Reynoso also served as the Padres’ freshmen and junior varsity coach during three summer league seasons. Woodside athletic director Steve Nicolopulos said the search was exhaustive, and he’s confident that the school’s decision to hire Reynoso was a slam dunk.
“Darrell and Mike know each other and Darrell felt comfortable of him coming in,” Nicolopulos said. “Hopefully Mike can do what Darrell did. They’re different people, and every situation is different. He’s a new face and he’ll fit in fine. He’s very enthusiastic, and that’s always good. From all the background checks everybody speaks highly of him and he’s well-respected. We received a healthy amount of interest, getting applications from everybody and their brother. Mike stood out. We expect a lot of good things.”
So does Reynoso, who graduated from San Diego State a month ago. Reynoso felt the usual nerves that come along with an interview, but he quickly felt at ease once things got rolling.
“What sealed the deal was when I went in for the interview everything felt right, like a family,” Reynoso said. “And that’s what I’m all about, is building a family and team unity. I felt that vibe immediately and it will be a big part of our team.”
Reynoso, 23, became the youngest basketball coach — and perhaps the youngest coach in any sport, boys or girls — in the Peninsula Athletic League when he was recently hired to take over the post left vacated when former coach Darrell Barbour took a position with Sacred Heart Cathedral. Despite his youth, Reynoso was confident that he would land the job.
When Reynoso found out that he was going to be the Wildcats’ new hoops coach, a dream had been realized. Reynoso was born and raised in Redwood City and grew up knowing all about Woodside’s rich tradition, a program that did well under Barbour, one of the most respected coaches in all of the Central Coast Section. While acknowledging Barbour’s success, Reynoso wants to leave his own imprint on the program.
“Woodside boys’ basketball has always been a powerhouse,” Reynoso said. “I want to keep things that way and even take it to another level. I wish the season was starting next week. I’m ready to get into it and make my own path.”
Reynoso doesn’t have previous head coaching varsity experience but was a varsity assistant at La Jolla High near San Diego and the school’s freshman head coach for one year each. A 2002 Serra High graduate, Reynoso also served as the Padres’ freshmen and junior varsity coach during three summer league seasons. Woodside athletic director Steve Nicolopulos said the search was exhaustive, and he’s confident that the school’s decision to hire Reynoso was a slam dunk.
“Darrell and Mike know each other and Darrell felt comfortable of him coming in,” Nicolopulos said. “Hopefully Mike can do what Darrell did. They’re different people, and every situation is different. He’s a new face and he’ll fit in fine. He’s very enthusiastic, and that’s always good. From all the background checks everybody speaks highly of him and he’s well-respected. We received a healthy amount of interest, getting applications from everybody and their brother. Mike stood out. We expect a lot of good things.”
So does Reynoso, who graduated from San Diego State a month ago. Reynoso felt the usual nerves that come along with an interview, but he quickly felt at ease once things got rolling.
“What sealed the deal was when I went in for the interview everything felt right, like a family,” Reynoso said. “And that’s what I’m all about, is building a family and team unity. I felt that vibe immediately and it will be a big part of our team.”