Submitted by Denair Unified School District

A familiar face will be pacing the sideline this fall at Denair High School. Anthony Armas, who once played for the Coyotes and later was an assistant coach, has been hired as Denair’s new varsity football coach.

Armas, 35, is a former lineman who graduated from Denair in 1997. He spent five years as a varsity assistant in Denair after earning his degree fromCalifornia State University, Stanislaus and has been an assistant coach at Pitman High School in Turlock since 2008. He also has been involved with the Denair Youth Football League. This will be Armas’ first head coaching job at the high school level.

“I’m a little nervous, but I think that will calm down once we get started,” he said with a chuckle. “It’s very exciting to be coming back to Denair.”

Armas replaces Ted Howze, who guided the Coyotes to a 3-7 record last fall in his only season as head coach. Howze resigned earlier this spring because he is moving to Stockton with his fiancée.

Armas was one of four men interviewed for the position – two from Stanislaus County and two from outside the region, said Athletic Director Darrin Allen. He said Armas’ “passion for the game” and “maturity” impressed the selection committee.

“I just like the way he interacts with kids. How he talks to them and he gets them to develop on the field,” said Allen, who coached Armas as a player and later worked alongside him as a varsity assistant.

“He was the reason I stayed out there as an assistant line coach when I was principal at the middle school. I knew then this guy was going to be a head coach. I saw the ability that he was meant to lead a team and a staff,” Allen said. Continue reading “Denair High Alumnus Anthony Armas New Varsity Football Coach” »