AHS Football Coach Dimalante Explains Sudden Exit

So why did football Coach Jon Dimalante That is the key question.

Here is what Dimalante told Arcadia Patch: "I just had a feeling it was the right time for me. For 16 or 17 seasons, whatever it is, it has been the time of my life. But now I have some educational goals. I want to work on getting a master's degree. I'm going to still teach at Arcadia High. I love Arcadia. This is my home. There is nowhere else I'd rather be."

Dimalante informed Athletic Director Ryan Press of his decision and later told the team.

"He didn't say a whole bunch," Press told the Pasadena Star-News. "The main thing that he said was that the time was right. I know he had been thinking about it for a little while.

"Obviously those are enormous shoes to fill."

Dimalante, who had a record of 113-76-1 at Arcadia, will continue teaching physical education but leaves a gaping hole in a program he

The Apaches started out with a heart-throbbing and In between came a string of impressive victories, with a being the one blemish during that stretch.

Arcadia ended up as co-champions of the Pacific League, along with Burroughs, and expectations were high after the Apaches coasted to a 39-13 victory over Bonita in the first round of the playoffs for their sixth consecutive win. But, La Mirada, which opened the season with three consecutive losses and then lost its league opener, rallied in the second half to beat the Apaches.