Six Questions for a San Marino Local: Coach Mike Hobbie

It wasn’t just his love of the game that brought Mike Hobbie to San Marino; it was his love for his family.

“I wanted to be closer to my kids,” said the football coach. “My children and my grandson live in Pasadena and I saw this an opportunity to be near them.”

at in February. singled out Hobbie for the position because of his ability to turn programs around and extensive football knowledge.

“I started coaching because the game of football is a great game and a great game to learn a lot of life lessons that are very valuable for you,” said Hobbie. “Since I’ve gained so much from the game myself I thought it would be good to pass that along.”

A former offensive coordinator at the University of South Florida, Hobbie spent the past four years coaching football at Roosevelt High School in Fresno. During his four years in Fresno, Hobbie was able to take the Roughriders from a loosing 0-10 season in 2006 to a 26-19 record.

Hobbie claims that despite the many differences between San Marino and Fresno, coaching is still the same.

“It’s a little different down here, Fresno is probably a 180 degree difference from San Marino,” said the 30-year coaching veteran. “Fresno was very poor and San Marino is very wealthy. It’s different but it really doesn’t change anything for me. It’s still the same challenges, just different reasons for the challenges.”

The Georgia native credits the Titans’ strong defense as their best asset. Despite starting the new position in May, Hobbie claims the team is off to a promising start.

“The Titans are doing alright, record-wise we’re 2-1,” said Hobbie. “The one game we lost we were in it until the end of the fourth quarter.”

In addition to his coaching duties, Hobbie is also a P.E. teacher at San Marino High School. The busy coach took time out of practice to take on the San Marino six.

What do you like most about San Marino?

For me, my favorite thing is working with kids. It doesn’t matter if it’s San Marino or anyplace else. It’s all about working with young people and developing relationships with them.

What is your favorite restaurant in San Marino?

I don’t have one yet.

What is your favorite place in San Marino to take a stroll or go for a run?

Not yet - I don’t spend a lot of time here outside of work.

What is a little known fact about you?

I play the guitar.

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Chocolate.

What are your hopes for the remainder of the season?

I hope that we continue to progress as a football team and get better. That’s all I hope for.