St. Francis has hired Herrington as its coach

St. Francis High announced Sunday that Dean Herrington is the school’s new football head coach.

Herrington, who has coached at Paraclete for the past six seasons, takes over for interim coach Ted Corcoran, who led the team during the abbreviated spring season after the passing of longtime coach Jim Bonds.

“I’m excited to join a prestigious program at St. Francis. Everyone knows how close I was with Jim Bonds, it’s an honor follow him,” Herrington said. “I have to thank John Anson, the principal at Paraclete. There was success before I got there and they’ll be successful after me.”

Herrington has a deep connection to Bonds. His 25-year coaching career started at his alma mater, Hart High, where he coached Bonds, a quarterback, on the school’s junior varsity team in 1984.

“Having been a longtime friend of Jim Bonds, I have tremendous respect for St. Francis’ tradition of excellence and character development. I am honored to accept this challenge,” Herrington said.

Herrington has coached the high school and collegiate level, most notably at Alemany, College of the Canyons, and recently at Paraclete.

At Alemany, Herrington had a record of 84-34, collected seven league titles in 10 years and in 2009 took the Warriors to their only CIF final.

He took over at Paraclete in 2016. He accumulated an overall record of 40-20, including CIF-SS and CIF State championship in his first season and another CIFSS title in 2017.

The head coaching position at St. Francis was one of the most coveted open jobs in the area.

“Dean distinguished himself throughout the interview process with his football knowledge, commitment to the personal growth of our student-athletes, and desire to enhance the program,” St. Francis athletic director Matt Luderer said.