Coronado High School’s head football coach Kurt Hines decided to implement a new approach to workouts this summer, measuring the competitiveness of younger players in the aftermath of a senior-heavy team last season.
The Islander squad was divided into six teams that have been competing together throughout the summer, earning points through drills and skills contests.
“In addition to helping our young men to become bigger, faster and stronger, our goal is to see who the competitors are,” Hines said.
Hines said this summer’s workouts had the best turnout in his nine years as head coach.
Two seasons ago, Coronado High went 3-8 overall and 0-4 in league. Last year, they doubled their win total, finishing 6-6 overall and 2-2 in league. As the ‘25 season gets nearer, Hines and the Islanders look to continue that upward trajectory.
But the team lost some of its statistical leaders to graduation, including quarterback Rodolfo Sanchez and rushing leaders Jaiden Sherman and Landon Sutherland. Also gone are three of the top five in total tackles, the three sack leaders and two of the top three interceptions leaders.
While the roster turnover leaves the Islanders with a lot of holes to fill, senior center and defensive tackle Walter Hardy remains confident.
“I feel like we definitely have guys to step up and fill the shoes because those exact same people were in the same spot the year before when they were juniors and their seniors graduated,” Hardy said.
Some of the biggest shoes to fill are at the quarterback spot. Sanchez and Sherman were the only two players to attempt 50 or more passes on last year’s team; they’re both gone. The QB battle is currently between sophomores Jack O’Sullivan and James Merwin.
“Jack has a stronger arm and a really good presence in the pocket,” Hines said, adding that Merwin will need to compete for the starting role with his running talent and football IQ – especially reading defenses.
“Both of them are really coachable and I feel confident that whoever wins that position will be able to be surrounded by some tremendous talent.”
Hines said he’s optimistic about the receiving core. Two of the team’s top four receivers from last year, Spencer Reidarson and Chase Jenkins, are back for their senior season. The main concern, if any, is the offensive line.
“We typically don’t have a lot of linemen in our program,” Hines said. “And we’re still facing that challenge right now. But the guys that we do have have been rock solid and, as long as we all stay healthy, I’m really excited about the guys up front as well.”
Hines and Hardy said they expect team cohesion to be a strength thanks to a culture of selflessness. Hardy attributed much of that to Hines’ coaching style and emphasis on accountability.
“We have a huge team focus … we have everybody working toward the same goal,” Hardy said. “Everybody’s going to get the exact same treatment no matter what … there’s no hierarchy.”
In terms of goals for the upcoming season, Hines was straight to the point.
“Our initial goal is to win the league, and our focus in doing that is just to strive – as we talk about all the time, – to get 1% better every day.”
Coronado starts the season on Aug. 22 at Hilltop High in Chula Vista. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
