Looney to Take Year Off From Brea Football

Brea Olinda football Coach Jon Looney, who last season led the Wildcats to their first Southern Section championship game in 36 years, said he will take next season off so he can relax and spend more time with his three sons but will return the following year.

“I get to take a year off, step back, then step back in, no harm no foul,” said Looney, who will continue to teach at the school. “A lot of it has to do with having three young boys at home. I’d like to spend a lot more time with them. And I’d like to be a normal person for a year.”

Robb Perrance, an assistant coach, will take over the program in Looney’s absence.

“I know he’ll do a great job,” Looney said. “I feel very good about leaving it with Robb and the rest of the varsity coaches.”

Looney, 45, has compiled a 90-44-2 record over 12 seasons, including a 12-1-1 mark this season, when the Wildcats reached the Division IX title game before losing to La Verne Bonita, 24-14.

Looney said he became overwhelmed with the responsibilities of being a father, teacher and coach.

“It came to a point about two months ago where it was just time for a break,” Looney said. “I’ve gone 35 years in a row without missing a football season, coaching or playing. I would like to see what life is like without football.

“But I’m definitely coming back.”

BASEBALL

Florida Coach Andy Lopez was in Orange County Monday to meet with UC Irvine Athletic Director Dan Guerrero about the Anteaters’ baseball job.

Attempts to contact Lopez were unsuccessful, but he told the Gainesville Sun: “The only reason I’m going out there is because Dan Guerrero has been a friend of mine since I was 14. I’m going to listen. I’ve turned down a bunch of job opportunities since I came [to Florida] because this is such a great situation. I’m not looking for another job, but because of my relationship with Danny, I have to go talk to him.”

Lopez, who is expected to have further talks with Guerrero today, reportedly makes $180,000 a year. It’s believed that he would have to take a pay cut at Irvine, which is bringing back baseball in 2002 after a 10-year hiatus.

Lopez grew up in San Pedro. His parents still live in Southern California. He also has coached at Manhattan Beach Mira Costa High, Harbor College, Cal State Dominguez Hills and Pepperdine, which won the 1996 College World Series under his direction. His overall college record is 652-391-5.

Florida (44-23-1) was eliminated from the NCAA baseball tournament May 29.

Guerrero did not return phone calls, but an athletic department spokesman said the Anteaters are moving quickly and may have a coach selected by the end of the month.

* Mike Rouse, who didn’t play for Cal State Fullerton this season after transferring from San Jose State, is among the top 40 freshman and sophomore college players invited to participate in the 2000 USA Baseball national team trials, June 16-21 in Tucson.

Rouse, a 6-foot, 170-pound sophomore shortstop, batted .313 and had a team-high 13 stolen bases as a freshman for the Spartans.

* Doug Elliott, who led Sunny Hills to all four of its Freeway League baseball titles, has resigned, Athletic Director Ralph Trigsted said.

Elliott, Sunny Hills’ coach since 1984, will continue to teach at the school, Trigsted said. The Lancers were 14-13 this past season and lost in the first round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs.