SAN JOSE — Archbishop Mitty football coach Danny Sullivan was always quick to give credit to his senior class – early in the season, middle of the season and at the end of the season.
Called the group that included the likes of receivers Danny Scudero and Ben Kim and quarterback Wills Towers special.
But as one of his coaching peers noted, Sullivan deserved credit, too.
The former Los Gatos and Arizona State quarterback had some rough seasons as a head coach. Two sub-.500 years at Palo Alto in 2016 and 2017. Three losses without a win in Mitty’s pandemic-shortened spring 2021 season, followed by a 1-9 record that fall.
Picked to finish last in the West Catholic Athletic League this season, the San Jose school staged one of the most incredible turnarounds in Central Coast Section history.
The Monarchs finished third in the WCAL, won back-to-back overtime games on the road against Los Gatos and St. Francis in the CCS Division I playoffs and trailed Serra by just six points after three quarters in the final before fading down the stretch.
The rise from the football ashes to the brink of a championship in the CCS’s top division made Sullivan an easy choice for Bay Area News Group coach of the year.
“I have so much respect for Danny and that staff,” Serra coach Patrick Walsh said. “An unbelievable season for them. I swear to God, coming from 1-9 to that, swinging, putting up fights, great coaching. Absolutely great coaching.”
Sullivan, not surprisingly, credited his seniors.
“I said it all year long, they’re special,” he said on the field after the CCS final. “They really are. They’re turning this thing around for the whole program. I am proud of them. We can build off of this. It will be something that we remember. Hopefully years down the way, we’ll look back at this year as the start of this whole thing.”
Honorable mention
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Justin Alumbaugh, De La Salle
Overcame an unusually high amount of team-wide injuries to lead De La Salle to North Coast Section Open Division and Division 1-AA regional championships. The Spartans beat Pittsburg in the NCS final and Folsom on the road to capture the NorCal title. Lost Division 1-AA state championship game to Lincoln-San Diego 33-28.
Aaron Becker, San Ramon Valley
Led his team past undefeated Campolindo to win North Coast Section Division II championship and Marin Catholic in the Division 2-A regional title game. Lost Division 2-A state title game to Granite Hills-El Cajon 31-24 in overtime.
Victor Galli, Pittsburg
Announced just before the playoffs that his 21st season would be his last. Led program to its second consecutive North Coast Section Division I title, beating Clayton Valley in the final, and a victory at home over Manteca in NorCal Division 1-A regional championship game. Lost to Liberty-Bakersfield 48-20 in 1-A state final.
Steve Papin, Santa Teresa
After his team lost three heartbreakers during the league season, Papin led the San Jose school to four consecutive postseason victories before losing in the Division 6-AA state championship game. The Saints won the Central Coast Section Division IV title — the program’s first section crown — and then beat Palo Alto for the NorCal 6-AA title.
Michael Peters, McClymonds
Led the Warriors to Oakland Section and NorCal regional championships with a resume that included early-season wins at home over San Ramon Valley and Bellarmine and a competitive road loss to Pittsburg. Lost 2-AA state title game to Mater Dei Catholic-Chula Vista 26-18.
Paul Reynaud, Concord
After winning one game during the 2021 fall season, Concord went 9-1 during the 2022 regular season and finished second in the Diablo Athletic League Valley Division. Lost to Acalanes in the North Coast Section Division IV first round.
Patrick Walsh, Serra
The Bay Area News Group’s coach of the year in 2017 and 2019 led the San Mateo school to its first 10-0 regular season, a run that included road wins over De La Salle and Folsom and a West Catholic Athletic League title. Then posted running-clock victories over Palma and Salinas in the first two rounds of the Central Coast Section Division I playoffs and dominated Mitty in the fourth quarter to win the section title. Lost to national No. 1 St. John Bosco 45-0 in Open state title game.
ALL-BAY AREA NEWS GROUP FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Monday, Jan. 9
Tuesday, Jan. 10
Wednesday, Jan. 11
Bay Area News Group coach of the year
Thursday, Jan. 12
Alameda County player of the year
San Mateo County player of the year
Santa Clara County player of the year
Bay Area News Group player of the year
WHO IS ELIGIBLE
Those eligible for all-Bay Area News Group recognition come from leagues based predominantly in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties. For corrections, please email highschools@bayareanewsgroup.com.
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