John McFadden’s announced decision to step down as head coach at Eastlake leaves nine active San Diego Section coaches with at least 100 victories.
McFadden became the Titans’ head coach in 2000 and posted a record of 120 wins, 42 losses, and 4 ties in 14 seasons.
McFadden’s .735 winning percentage is third only to the active John Carroll of Oceanside (234-74-6, .755) and the late Birt Slater of Kearny (134-41-9, .753).
Duane Maley of San Diego was 97-19-2, .826, from 1948-59, when County schools were in the Southern Section.
Other 100-game winners still listed as active heading into the 2014 season: Rob Gilster (183), Willie Matson (166), Sean Doyle (145), John Morrison (140), Gary Blevins (129), Chris Hauser (115), Matt Oliver (115), Jerry Ralph (111), and Mike Hastings (111).
McFadden’s teams won eight Mesa or South Bay League championships, tied for another, and earned two San Diego Section championships.
His replacement has not been announced but John Maffei of U-T San Diego reported that Lee Price, a longtime assistant at Eastlake, is McFadden’s likely successor.
Price was 6-5 and won the Harbor League championship at Coronado in 1992.
A complete list of 100-game winners can be accessed by linking to “Football” and Coach 100 Club on the drop down menu.
With training camps still weeks away, eight new head coaching appointments have been announced:
| NAME | SCHOOL | REPLACED |
| Drew Westling | Chula Vista | Judd Rachow |
| Joe Kim | Clairemont | Ron Gladnick |
| Jon Goodman | Classical | Jon Burnes |
| John Roberts | El Camino | Pulu Poumele |
| Tyler Hales | La Jolla Country Day | Jeff Hutzler |
| Lance Christensen | Otay Ranch | Anthony Lacsina |
| Jason Patterson | Orange Glen | Kris Plash |
| Ron Gladnick | Torrey Pines | Scott Ashby |
Sluggo is honored every year on the Friday before the Super Bowl at Jefferson school in North Park. Dennis graduated from Jefferson in 1959. A baseball/softball clinic in his memory for the 5th grade class has been held every year since his death nearly 15 years ago. The instructors include former Major Leaguer Jim Nettles (also class of 1959 and his long time friend and teammate). In addition, a scholarship award named “The Sluggo Maley Award” is given to the student that displays the best attitude during the school year.
“Sluggo” was Dennis Maley for those who don’t recognize the nickname. Maley, the son of the legendary San Diego High coach Duane Maley, was an all-Eastern League running back at San Diego in 1964, all-conference at San Diego City College, and started at strong safety at the University of Arizona. After a pro baseball career, Maley was an instructor in the San Diego City School system for many years. Maley was the ultimate competitor who played with fire and passion and was loved and respected by his many friends. Bob Cluck coordinates the event in Dennis name each year at Jefferson Elementary.
It would appear that Sluggo’s Dad is the leader amongst San Diego “area” high school football coaches.
“Sluggo” was the nickname for Dennis Maley, son of Duane Maley, the legendary San Diego High coach. Father and son died within days of each other in 2000. Dennis was an outstanding running back and baseball player at San Diego in 1964-65. A friend, Jim Nettles, nicknamed Maley “Sluggo” because Nettles thought he resembled comic strip character “Sluggo Smith”, who was the friend of “Nancy”, the star of the comic strip of the same name introduced by artist Ernie Bushmiller in 1938. Although “Sluggo Smith” was from the “wrong side of the tracks”, he did not have the toughness and competitive drive that Duane Maley instilled in his son. I’m like many who loved Denny and miss him.