Legendary San Fernando High Football Coach Bill Marsh Has Died

During nan 1970s, San Fernando High shot coach Bill Marsh created thing scarier than Frankenstein — nan wishbone offense.

In 1974 and 1975, nan Tigers were nan astir electrifying, explosive and entertaining squad successful Southern California, winning back-to-back City Section titles down nan trio of fullback Charles White, moving backmost Kevin Williams and backmost Kenny Moore, each of whom went connected to USC. Another halfback, Ray Williams, besides starred and went to Washington State. Kevin Williams won nan authorities 100-yard dash successful 1975. Moore was a two-time City subordinate of nan year. White would triumph nan authorities 330-yard hurdles title and go a Heisman Trophy winner.

“I had sleepless nights worrying astir keeping these guys from being envious aliases suspicious of 1 another,” Marsh said successful 1999.

Marsh, who grew up successful Pacoima and played astatine San Fernando earlier becoming a coach, P.E. coach and businessman, died connected Monday successful Porter Ranch, according to existent San Fernando shot coach Charles Burnley. Marsh was 79.

“He was a awesome man,” said Al Coney, who played for Marsh successful 1976.

Burnley sewage into problem while attending different precocious schoolhouse erstwhile Marsh intervened to get him different chance.

“He saved my life,” Burnley said.

Those title San Fernando teams kept moving disconnected large plays and utilizing their velocity while relying connected tons of talent from Pacoima. They were nan days erstwhile kids went to their vicinity schools, and Marsh took advantage pinch a run-oriented discourtesy that near defenses incapable to extremity nan Tigers. In 1 crippled against Reseda, nan Tigers rushed for 529 yards and Kevin Williams had 180 yards, White 152 yards, Raymond Williams 110 and Moore 82.

“It was very difficult to extremity because Kenny Moore ran nan discourtesy for illustration a assemblage quarterback. He learned to publication nan protect end,” said receiver DeWayne Jett. “We astir apt had nan apical talent successful nan Valley each astatine once.”

Five of nan violative players made it to nan NFL — Jett, White, some Williams and Moore.

The 1975 squad was classed No. 1 successful nan federation to commencement nan season. Sportswriters tasked pinch selecting City subordinate of nan twelvemonth ended up making White, Moore and Kevin Williams tri-players of nan year, which surely made Marsh happy trying to dispersed nan fame.

Jett almost went to Monroe because of nan Vikings’ passing attack, but he remembers Marsh confronting him. “I’m proceeding you’re going to Monroe. You’re not going. You’re golden and black.”

Marsh retired aft nan 1979 season.

Funeral arrangements are pending.