As the first woman coach in San Diego County history and believed to be the second in California, Knengi Martin’s advice was simple.
“Whatever stereotypes might be out there, break through them and follow your passion,” she said.
The jovial Martin, who replaced Doug Packwood at San Diego High, spoke with Don Norcross of UT-San Diego:
“My real hope is it allows other people to pursue theiur dreams,” said Knengi,” pronounced with a silent K.
Martin, 30, has played women’s semifinal football for a decade and was serving as San Diego’s junior varsity coach.
Although the result of her first game was a 44-0 loss to University City, Martin said, “They played their hardest. They gave it their best shot. I’d go to war with these guys any day.”
According to Mark Tennis of Cal-Hi Sports, one other lady has been a head coach in the state.
Pauline Foster coached Corning High, located in Tehama County, about 170 miles Northeast of San Francisco, for two games in 1942.
Pauline Rugh coached Salinas, Pennsylvania, in 1943. Natalie Randolph was 16-26 in four seasons at McKinley High in Washington, D.C., from 2010-13, and Amy Arnold has headed the 8-Man program at Arete Prep in Gilbert, Arizona, since 2008.
Britney Garner was appointed head coach at Pickett County in Byrdsville, Tennessee, in the middle of this season, although published reports question whether she actually coaches or serves in an administrative capacity.
MILESTONES
Oceanside’s 42-10 victory over Rancho Buena Vista was the 239th in John Carroll’s 26-season career. He’ll tie Bennie Edens of Point Loma for second all time with his next win, which doesn’t figure to come easily.
The Pirates meet Mission Hills next and the Grizzlies’ Chris Hauser will be seeking his 120th victory, a total Christian’s Matt Oliver attained this week in a 49-10 victory over Mission Bay.
Oliver is the 30th in County history to reach 120, tying the retired John McFadden of Eastlake.
Monte Vista’s Ron Hamamoto is at 198 victories. He could become the eighth to reach 200.
QUICK KICKS
Steele Canyon is 5-0 for the first time in the school’s 12-year history, after a 3-8 in 2013…David Savage rushed for 159 yards in Imperial’s 21-14 victory over Chula Vista…Savage had one carry for minus 3 yards combined in the season’s first four games….
