COACHING STAFF OF THE YEAR

Terry Henigan and his Irvine High coaching staff took a team with an undersized defense, a quarterback who didn’t play last year and a backfield that didn’t have a 1,000-yard rusher and guided it to a 14-0 record and the Division VI title.

Players bought into the coaching philosophy, executed it and produced a perfect season. They also produced The Times’ Orange County Coaching Staff of the Year.

Henigan, also honored in 1999, became the first coach in the 42-year history of the award to win in consecutive seasons, and the first three-time winner.

Henigan handled the offense, J.C. Clarke the defense that allowed only 90 points. Others were Ed Brady (special teams), Emilio Espinosa (offensive line), Dan Cartwright (wide receivers), Mike Maceranka (quarterbacks), Tim Langham (defensive line), Brendon Payne (defensive ends) and Evan Little.

Whether shutting down the offensive juggernaut of Tustin or twice beating last year’s champion, Newport Harbor, Irvine rose to the occasion - without fail.

-- MARTIN HENDERSON