Stepping up to the sidelines James Sims returns to the gridiron to guide the football team toward success

YADIRA GONZALEZ Reporter @YadhiraIGS

For the football team, a new era began a month ago when James Sims was named interim head coach after the firing of former coach Jason Sabolic.

Sabolic was fired on Sept. 11 due to decorum violations and Sims was chosen to fill the position temporarily, at least until the end of this season. A decision will be made by Sims, athletic director Moriah Van Norman and other faculty whether he stays or leaves the position vacant.

“They literally pulled me out of my office and asked me if I was willing to step in and help them out. I agreed to,” Sims said.

Prior to taking over, Sims was the strength and conditioning coach. Not only did he train his football players, but all Brahma athletes. He worked one-onone with every player at the fitness center and prepared them physically before they headed out to their respective discipline.

This is Sims’ second year working at Pierce College. He said he has been with the district for five years. Before coming to Pierce, Sims worked at Southwest College.

Sims was born and raised in Akron, Ohio. His passion for football started when he was young; he recalls coaching a sixyear-old team when he was 13.

According to Sims, he was blessed to go from high school straight to a Division-1 school. It was at the University of Toledo in Ohio where Sims started playing at a superior level. But during his freshman year he got injured, got a richter staple put in his shoulder and was forced to hang his cleats.

After his football career was over and so were his dreams of making it to the NFL, Sims joined the military. The base was stationed in Virginia where he served four years and coached a football team at the same time.

Sims said he got into a major car accident that injured his back, than left the military as a disabled veteran.

Years later, Sims decided to open up his own mortgage company in Jacksonville, Florida, where he met a guy that invited him to help him coach. Sims said he coached there for 13 years.

“I’ve always had the passion for helping people,” Sims said.

When offered the position of interim head coach, Sims knew it was going to change his work schedule and life plans. According to him, being a coach is very time consuming.

“It’s not just about football practice, it’s about watching films at home, coaches meetings, players that contact you and have situations at home. You’re a father, a mentor, a lot involved,” Sims said.

Sims said his players facilitated the decision of accepting the offer to coach them.

“When some of the players came and asked me to take over the job, that they don’t want a stranger coming in, that made it easy for me, because they asked me to do it,” Sims said.

Marquise Mickens who plays as running back, said he was happy when the team found out Sims was their new leader.

“We were building chemistry with him in the weight room, it was stress relief when he was left as head coach. I’m definitely very blessed to have him on the team as head coach,” Mickens said.

Mickens hopes Sims stays permanently in the football program.

Sims said coaching is bigger than just football, it is also about the players.

“I care about their life, I care about how they’re doing in school, how they’re doing at home and how’s their family,” Sims said. “Athletes they don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

Lawrence Coleman, safety, said things have already changed in the locker room even though it has only been a few weeks with Sims in charge of the team.

“Ever since he came in there is a whole new vibe to the team, everybody is more disciplined, it’s just more enjoyable to be at practice,” Coleman said. “He put an end to all the foolishness and playing around, we got down to business.”

According to Coleman, Sims holds his position with such embrace and power, and it’s easy to follow what he says.

For Sims it is not just about wins and loses, he wants to make sure the team keeps competing.

“I want to make sure everybody is giving everything they got,” Sims said. “That everybody stays healthy and at the end of the day, it’s just a game.”

After the end of the season, whether he stays permanently as head coach or as fitness trainer, Sims said he will still be at Pierce.

“I’ll be here probably the next 15 or 20 years whether im coaching or not,” Sims said.

For now Sims just wants to continue doing what he loves: coaching, cooking and traveling.

“Im going to enjoy life until there is no more life,” Sims said.

Sims said that his goal is to make a positive impact on his players so they can be successful.

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“The ultimate goal is to help affect their lives in a positive way,” Sims said. “If they go on to become great fathers and brothers and good citizens of the community, if I can still hear from them and know they are doing well, I consider this a success.” ygonzalez.roundupnews@gmail.com

Brahma of the Week

Gisell Cruz

Sport: Soccer

Position: Forward Class: Freshman

High School: Van Nuys

How did it feel to score a hat-trick?

“I feel like it was an accomplishment. I haven’t scored three goals in a while.”

Coming from two wins, how is the team’s confidence?

“It really helps the team. Especially with conference on the line it boosts or confidence and motivates us.”

What do you feel you can improve on?

“Confidence in myself and being better on those one-on ones.”

Do you have any pregame rituals?

“I usually get on one knee and pray.”

[Football, from pg. 1]

Saavedra’s 38-yard touchdown and the extra point gave Pierce a 28-21 lead with 7:58 to play.

The Owls reached the Brahmas 15-yard line on the next drive, but turned the ball over on downs after receiver Jacob Bystry failed to get a foot inbounds on a reception in the back of the endzone.

Pierce was able to take time off the clock on the next drive, killing 4:14, but Citrus was left with just under two minutes.

The Owls promptly drove down the field, going 67 yard in six plays, taking less than a minute. A Pierce penalty on the extra point changed things. Citrus decided to go for the win rather than the tie, which is when Mateo stepped up with the only sack on the night for the Brahmas.

The next game for the Brahmas is Saturday, Oct. 28, when they host Allan Hancock College (5-2, 2-0) in the final home game of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for 4 p.m., not the traditional 6 p.m. Hancock defeated Valley Saturday night, leaving the Brahmas chances of a conference title in their own hands. If Pierce wins out, it will set up a possible threeway tie between the schools. “We have a hard game coming in here,” Sims said. “Hancock is a tough team and we have a lot of work.” jmanes.roundupnews@gmail.com