Ridgeview’s new football coach Nathan Claunch is ready to roll with high hopes for the upcoming season. Many players have already expressed their excitement to work with the new coach and their enthusiasm for this upcoming season.
Claunch previously worked as a Defensive Coordinator at West High. The 24-25 school year will be his first year as a head coach. He has been coaching for thirteen years in the Kern High School District. When asked about his coaching philosophy he stated, “Our staff aims to lead by example and to create a positive environment where players feel respected while being pushed to their limits as a student athlete.”
With this being his first upcoming season coaching all these players, there may come some obstacles. Claunch emphasized the importance of staying connected as a team both on and off the field. To ensure their success, Claunch states, “By bringing our team together and helping them realize that we cannot find success on the field as individuals, only as a team.” Claunch also states, “By staying together and figuring out how we can overcome them as a team. Our team motto is “Let’s Roll” which means that we are going to put the interest of the team over our own and work together towards finding success.”
Players such as Quarterback Mason Mendoza and Wide Receiver Angel Corona have already expressed their eagerness to begin playing under his leadership. When asked how Claunch inspires Mendoza to play his best, he states, “He is a very positive guy who wants us to have fun while we succeed”.
Claunch has also already influenced the player’s performance and mentality despite them not having played together yet this season Mendoza proves this by saying, “He told me early on that under his system if I just do things right I should succeed and be great.” Claunch’s expectations align with what the players want to improve on well when asked what about his team needs improvement. Mendoza answers, “Playing together is a big one, last year we played individually a lot so we just have to play together and play for each other.”
Corona also had some positive thoughts about the team’s new coach he states, “I feel excited. It’s pretty cool It’s something new so far he’s better than the last coach, but I can’t say much since the season hasn’t started. When asked what the team needs improvement on Corona answered” We should definitely improve on our discipline and just looking forward to the season.” This lines up with Claunch’s coaching philosophy emphasizing teamwork and discipline. Looking toward the future of the team and their biggest strength Corona states, “I think we all have a really good brothership, we have known each other since we were young, which I think is our biggest strength as long as we can put it together on the field.”
Claunch is focusing on a positive attitude, discipline, and teamwork and building up the team as not only players but as people. With the team already knowing each other since they were young and forming a strong bond, plus Claunch’s coaching style with the goals of bringing them closer as a team, Ridgeview’s football team will be playing perfectly as one and will be able to accomplish anything.
