As of Nov. 14, Tyler Arciaga transitioned from his role as head football coach and Athletic Director to Assistant Principal (AP) at Bonita Vista High (BVH). Although Arciaga will no longer be coaching, he takes on this new position as the AP with a positive attitude.
Moving on from his position as football head coach was a large sacrifice for Arciaga and his family. Arciaga further described the long hours, weeks and years he dedicated towards his passion of helping athletes grow and gain success in the sport. Despite having a new position, Arciaga expresses that he will continue to support the BVH football team.
“We have a great group of kids here that all play football and even though I will not be on the field coaching them, I will be there supporting them,” Arciaga states.
As a result of the current open position for a new head coach, Arciaga continues to watch and support the football team from the sidelines. Arciga notes how adapting to his new role has gone smoother as a result of the support he has received from the BVH community.
“From the BVH staff it’s been really nice and very positive, this is my home school. Being a former Baron, I think it’s always nice to be able to give back to your school and this is just a way to do that,”Arciaga said.
While Arciaga is still new to his position, he explains that he has received the support needed from faculty and staff to make the transition from head coach to AP enjoyable. BVH Principal Lee Romero expresses how Arciaga utilizes his strong leadership and authoritative skills from coaching to transition into this new position.
“Arciaga came out strong because he knows his community and knows most of the students here. As an AP, you’re dealing with discipline and big school issues and he is a perfect candidate to come in,” Romero said.
During a faculty meeting, Arciaga caught the eye of Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) members and principals as they expressed how Arciaga is more than capable of holding the position as an AP. The AP position goes further than Saturday schools and supervising games, it consists of getting to know a variety of individuals and how to work with them.
“I have no doubts that he will be able to fit in and I have no doubt that the staff sees him as a viable AP. In fact when I introduced him at the facility meeting they were all very enthusiastic and happy about it,” Romero said.
With his leadership qualities stemming from football, Arciaga now strives to be a leader within the community within the BVH administration. Moreover, Arciaga collaborates with his wife on campus, P.E coach Heidi Arciaga.
“Arciaga always strives to put others first and create a culture on his football team and for BVH athletics that cultivates ‘The Baron Way.’ He is extremely organized and dedicated to helping Bonita Vista be a school to be proud of for students and community,” H.Arciaga said.
As a Baron alumni, T. Arciaga shares a connection with BVH and cares deeply for its success as a school. While T. Arciaga shows great AP characteristics; there are struggles and challenges he has faced during this journey.
“Leaving football is a challenge. It’s been a part of my life since freshman year and I have been involved in football in some shape or fashion like coaching or playing. That will be a change not just for me but also my family,” T. Arciaga said. .
As T. Arciaga’s football career began from a young age, he mentions his experience playing the sport in highschool and college. Further adding how this only allowed for his passion to grow and influenced him to begin coaching students. The shift in T.Arciagas role at BVH has been found to impact many within the community.
“The challenge is he is a coach and when you pull a good teacher out of their position, its difficult to replace him and as a coach we haven’t figured out what we are going to do with the football team because he has been a real part of the team,” Romero expresses.
Despite T. Arciaga’s new position, H. Arciaga believes that this will not change the relationships he’s built with his students. Furthermore, mentioning the additional opportunity to bond with students as a result of her sons’ involvement with school events and sports.. “Students that attend extra curricular activities are most likely already familiar with our family. We bring our three sons to a lot of events and games on campus, and this will continue even as his role changes,” H. Arciaga says.
Although there was a dramatic shift in positions, T. Arciaga and his family will continue to support the BVH community as a whole and the BVH football team. Though T. Arciaga describes a sense of emptiness because he is no longer coaching, he reassures that it will not affect the support that he provides.
“I love athletics and really truly believe in the mission of education-based athletics, which is what highschool sports is, and so if there is any way I could stay in it in the future that will be something great to do. We will see where the path goes and go from there,” T. Arciaga said.
