The San Gabriel football team retained one of its own to take over the program Thursday, naming assistant Marcus Galan as its new head coach.
Galan was an assistant at San Gabriel the past four years, and he served as the defensive coordinator for the Matadors’ championship-winning team last fall.
The Matadors defeated Bishop Montgomery 52-27 on Nov. 25 to capture the CIF Southern Section Division 13 title, the first section title for the program.
The Matadors continued their season in the state playoffs and defeated Granada Hills Kennedy to capture the CIF Division 6-A Southern California Regional championship.
The team advanced to the state finals, where it came up short.
The Matadors finished 12-4.
Earlier this month the team’s head coach, Kevin Encinas, announced that he had resigned so that he could spend more time with his family, which includes two young kids.
Encinas was the head coach for six years and compiled a 29-28 record. The team was 21-7 over the past two seasons.
San Gabriel moved quickly to promote Galan, who is an on-campus physical education teacher.
Galan graduated from El Rancho HS in 2008, and also played two years of HS football at St. Paul.
After finishing college, Galan became an assistant at St. Paul under then-coach Rick Zepeda. Zepeda was Galvan’s head coach while at El Rancho.
Galan spent six years at St. Paul with Zepeda before joining Encinas’ staff at San Gabriel.
“It was the perfect opportunity for me because I teach here at the school and have learned a lot from coach Encinas during my time here,” Galan said. “It has been a lot different and a big challenge coming from St. Paul and a private school program with a big football tradition.
“When I got the opportunity to coach at San Gabriel, I had to take a step back and reassess my coaching style, because 90 percent of the kids never played football before. I really had to dial it down and reshape how I coach football, and coach Encinas really taught me that from day one what it takes to be successful here and run a program. So I feel like I’m ready and grateful for all that he has done for me, and the school for giving me this chance.”
Encinas was happy to see his former assistant get the position.
“I think he will do a great job, he’s the kind of guy who has played football his whole life,” Encinas said. “He’s worked under some great coaches and is a great guy. He’s on campus, which is helpful, and was part of the changing of the culture at San Gabriel. Without him, none of the things that happened the past three years would have happened. I’m super excited for him to get this opportunity.”
Galan thanked his high school coach.
“There have been a lot of people who have had a huge impact in my life but the person who has played the biggest role is coach Rick Zepeda,” Galan said. “Coach Zepeda has been a mentor and father figure to me since my senior year.
“Between those four years in college, I kept in touch with him. Whether it was just grabbing lunch, golfing or letting me work for his business. I always tried to stay connected with him because of what he represented as a coach, father and husband. When I returned in 2013 and wanted to be a football coach, he welcomed me with open arms and put me on his staff. A lot of my coaching philosophy and values are because of him and I don’t believe I am ready or in this position today if it weren’t for him always being there for me.”
