Alonso's New Head Football Coach is Steeped in Hillsborough County Football Tradition

A sea of change swept over the Alonso Ravens football team this spring.

First year coach, Lee Meitzler stepped down. Leading tackler Anthony Chickillo and starting quarterback Dylan Fisher graduated. And the Ravens moved up in class from 5A to 8A.

Fortunately, the Ravens did not have to look far for a replacement as head coach.

Brian Emanuel, the school's former offensive coordinator, was promoted from to head coach. He didn't waste any time re-building a team that lost 22 players to graduation. Emanuel, 35, is quite familiar with the program and with Hillsborough County football.

He spent three years as offensive coordinator at Gaither High School - a logical fit since Emmanuel, a Gaither graduate, had played for the team's offensive line.

In Emanuel’s first year as a coach for the Cowboys, he helped them to an 8-4 record and their last playoff appearance. Prior to Gaither, Emanuel was the offensive line coach at Hillsborough High School for eight years under current Terrier Coach Earl Garcia. From 2004 to 2005, Emmanuel helped the Terriers to a 22-2 record and a sixth place state ranking.

“He’s got all the qualities you’d want and he’s very intelligent,” said K.R. Lombardia, Alonso's athletic director. “He’s coached both sides of the football, knows the game very well.”

While the Ravens return some serious talent, such as speedster Brandon Holloway and bruiser Ish Witter; as well as Marcus Neuman at linebacker and Robert Davis at safety, the exodus of veteran seniors and moving up three classes, puts Alonso at a bit of a disadvantage.

Emanuel said he's taking a “realistic view of the big picture" when it comes to the upcoming season.

“We’re one of the top five schools as far as enrollment in the county," he said. 'We need a better turnout of players."

That means Emanuel could take to scouring the Alonso halls for talent once school begins.

But that doesn't mean Emanuel isn't optimistic about his current roster.

“I’ve drawn a circle for this year’s team," he said. "And I’m asking that they all have both feet in."

The Ravens first pre-season game is on Aug. 26 at Spoto High School. They play their first regular season game Sept. 2 at Gaither High School.