Raising The Level Of Football At A Top Basketball School

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Kalaheo High School football coach Chris Mellor gives his Mustangs a little pep talk. File photo.

When he took over the Kalaheo football program five years ago, Chris Mellor neatly summarized its unique situation when he observed, “We’re a basketball school in football country.”

That was true enough and always will be as long as the Mustangs have a basketball team. It has had a long time-line of success reaching back to the mid ‘70s when Merv Lopes was head coach.

As was his plan, Mellor has quickly proved the school also can hold its own consistently on the football field despite smallish enrollment. He led it to three post-season appearances in the last four years. This week, they’re at California’s Sonoma State College, participating with 15 Mainland schools in preparation for next season. The trip also is a homecoming of sorts for Mellor, who grew up in the Golden State. Before Kalaheo, he coached JV under De La Salle coach Bob Ladouceur during its then-record 151-game win streak.

Before flying to Sonoma State, Mellor took some time to talk with MidWeek‘s Windward Islander.

What’s your earliest sports memory? When Sugar Ray Leonard came from behind to knock out Thomas Hearns.

When did you know you wanted to be a coach? When I played high school football at Oakland Tech. I knew my playing days would be limited to high school, and I wanted to stay around the game, so I knew coaching would be the way to go. I used to buy all kinds of coaching books - biographies about guys like Bud Grant, Bo Schembechler, Chuck Knox and Vince Lombardi - anything I could get my hands on to read.

What’s impressed you the most about your team as you head to California for camp? Core groups of kids who are committed and who do everything we ask. They have to be unselfish to play football. Besides school and work-outs, they don’t get to do much.

What aspect of your team looks the most promising so far? We’re fast. This is one of my fastest teams in the five years I’ve been there. Our leadership at quarterback and running back is good. I think our run game will be strong.

How has Justin Pagan been progressing in 7-on-7 pass leagues and in his daily workouts? Justin exemplifies what a good student-athlete is all about. He comes early and stays late. It’s unbelievable how much you love coaching a guy like him.

With an experienced QB back this year, how much does the playbook expand - if at all? It’s not going to expand. We still have some new boys coming in (to the first team on offense). We’ll get back to the basics and try to master what we’re doing. The play-book may shrink.

Talented two-way players have been a big part of your operation in recent years. Do you see that again this year? Yes. That’s how it’s done over here. Right now we have 24 players with a few others who are away that will be joining us. We always add a few more (when fall camp begins in late July). For a school of 700-plus students, we think we’ve been competitive.

Who’s had the biggest impact on you in football? It would have to be (De Le Salle coach Bob) Ladouceur. He showed me the formula for success, what it takes to be successful, what’s possible and how to handle yourself whether you win or lose.

What Internet site do you frequent the most? You won’t catch me surfing; I spend my time on the field. I guess Yahoo for the football e-mails.

What is your least-favorite household chore? Chasing down the dog when he runs away. He likes to run.” (Their pet Schnauzer is named Rudy for Notre Dame player Rudy Ruettiger, who inspired the film Rudy.)

What movie could you watch over and over? Rudy. But I’m really not into movies - I’m not that patient. I like to watch old classic boxing matches.

What’s in your iPod? iPods are for those young coaches - the ones coaching right out of college.

You’re stuck on the island of Kahoolawe. and you can have an endless supply of one food. What would it be? That one’s easy. My mom’s (Norah’s) beef tacos.