THS coaches: Unbroken links in leadership

Tehachapi High School head football coach Steve Denman, speaking to the Kiwanis Club of Tehachapi on Dec. 16, 2015, has learned more than a few things about teenagers in 34 years of coaching. "Kids keep you young," he said. "Kids just want to have guidance, direction and boundaries – and get out of the way." Denman spoke at the invitation of Kiwanian George Novinger, who was principal of THS when Denman began his coaching career in 1982. The accumulated wisdom on the dais represented an unbroken chain of mentoring and guiding thousands of young people (Each year, 50 to 60 students participate in the high school football teams). Accompanying Denman at the service club meeting were Dennis Ruggles, Denman's assistant coach for 30 years; former assistant coach and retired Rosamond coach Fred Schkadd (whose son is THS freshman coach); and three outstanding football players, graduating seniors Evan Sheehan, Angel Garcia and Jake Walters. Receiver Walters will attend the University of Redlands on a scholarship. Cornerback Sheehan, who had not played football before transferring in his junior year to THS from Heritage Oak School, has a 4.24 g.p.a. and will attend Stanford University. Middlebacker Garcia will attend California State University, Sacramento, on a scholarship.