Spring Football Preview: Dana Hills Takes Family Approach

Dana Hills has a new football coach, a mostly new football staff, several new players at key positions, and most importantly a new attitude.

The new coach is Todd Rusinkovich, a former player at San Clemente (Class of 2002), who last year was an assistant at Saddleback College and before that at the University of San Diego. He replaces Brent Melbon, who resigned after three seasons and a 4-6 record (1-3 in the South Coast League) last year. Rusinkovich also is a first-year Algebra teacher at Dana Hills.

The new assistant coaches include Todd’s brother, Jake, another San Clemente grad who coached receivers at Northwestern College (Minnesota) last year, and Todd’s father, John, the new director of football operations and a defensive assistant for the Dolphins this season.

Also joining the Rusinkovichs from the San Clemente area are Dave Brown (offensive coordinator/quarterback coach), his son Rocky Brown (receivers), Bob Cunningham (defensive backs) and Trent Henson (defensive line), who played at Southern Oregon University. The only returning coach is Phil Skinner, the offensive line and strength conditioning coach.

“I’m setting myself up with the best coaching staff a [head] coach can have,” enthused Todd Rusinkovich. “I’ve learned a lot about coaching football and how to prepare and evaluate talent. I’m also really big on the team concept. Our goal is to be a family-oriented team. Football is a team sport and a family sport. No one has any position locked up. Everyone is starting out the same.”

For that reason, Rusinkovich declined to talk about individual players, only that they have been receptive of the team/family concept.

 “I’ve been impressed with how the kids are buying into the new system,” he said. “Their effort and enthusiasm for the coaching staff has been great. We’ll run an offense and defense that best fits our personnel. I think we’re highly underrated. Other teams don’t know what we’re doing, and that’s an advantage for us.”

This much is known about the 2011 Dolphins: They lost several quality players to graduation, including two-way starter Chris Kearney (San Jose State), quarterback Trent Mason (South Dakota State) and defensive tackle Cody Meddaugh (University of Arkansas Pine Bluff). But they have two all-league returning players in Will McKinley at linebacker and Tyler Wileman at offensive line.

In fact, all but one offensive lineman from last season is back.

“The offensive line is incredibly strong,” Rusinkovich said. “I’ve never seen a high school team as strong as we are. Coach Skinner has done a great job with the kids. That’s a great place to start, with experience up front.”

While the Dolphins appear to be heading in the right direction, they also are playing in the South Coast League, which annually is one of the toughest leagues not only in Orange County but the state. Perennial favorite Mission Viejo appears stronger than ever, Tesoro continues to be a winning program, Trabuco Hills is always tough, and San Clemente has great athletes, including one of the top linemen and quarterbacks in the county.

But with 80 players expected to suit up for the varsity in the fall and 125 players already in the football program (not counting incoming freshmen), the Dolphins have taken the roll of the underdog and appear ready to run with it.

“We tell the kids, ‘Make yourself better every day, every rep.’ They want to be at a point of winning the league championship every year,” Rusinkovich said. “Dana Hills is a sleeping giant. Now is the time to awaken the sleeping giant.”

Dana Hills' 2011 Varsity Football Schedule:

Friday, Sept. 2 at Corona Santiago, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 9 vs. San Juan Hills, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 16 vs. Edison, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 23 at Mission Hills, 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 30 vs. El Toro, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Oct. 6 at Capistrano Valley, 7 p.m.

Friday, Oct. 14 vs. Mission Viejo, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Oct. 21 at San Clemente, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Oct. 28 at Tesoro, 7 p.m.*

Friday, Nov. 4 vs. Trabuco Hills, 7 p.m.*

* Indicates South Coast League game