Noel Looney worked his magic at Warner High last year and is hoping to do the same at University City this fall.

Looney, a graduate assistant at USC for 10 years before guiding Warner to a 7-2 record last year, recently was named head football coach at University City High, succeeding Patrick Coleman, who is currently an assistant at Oceanside.

“The situation at UC reminds of (the ethnic diversity at) USC,” said Looney. “It's a real plus. We'll be exciting, I can guarantee you that. We're in a very tough league (Western) with a very tough schedule.

“I believe you have to throw – you have to throw well just to survive.”

Looney is not in the least intimidated by the more than 2,000-student difference between Warner and UC.

“I saw the (coaching) opening and said to myself, 'Why not try it?',” said Looney, who counted the late Darrell Russell (St. Augustine) among his players at USC. “I got to see the team for three days in spring ball and, of course, in the summer passing league.

“The players are very hungry to be successful, they want to be recognized as a successful program.”

– STEVE BRAND