In early November 2023, former Bonita Vista High (BVH) Head Coach Tyler Arciaga took a step down from his coaching position and looked towards becoming an Assistant Principal (AP) at BVH. Shortly after, previous JV head football coach Jay Hernandez took the opportunity of applying for the vacant head coaching position. The committee held interviews on Jan. 12 and took the weekend to evaluate their final decision. They would eventually approve Hernandez’s spot as head coach of BVH on Jan. 16.
“Somebody that wanted to be here, for the long term, and wasn’t using BVH as a stepping stone [would be best fitted]. Someone who knows the values that we have here, like the Baron way, and that wants to continue to promote that and understands the value of education based athletics. [Knowing] that it’s not just a sports team, [but] a team that represents a school and community,” Arciaga said.
The committee and Arciaga were searching for a coach with numerous qualities; commitment, willingness to make sacrifices, coachability, etc. when deciding among the candidates. Hernandez took on the new role and now looks forward to further growing his team while acknowledging that he will grow along with them.
“I’m hoping to watch him continue his […] professional growth track and just watch him take the program to continue on the path and take it to newer heights. Between him and the coaching staff, they have the ability to do so and they have some good young players coming up, so we’re really excited for them,” Arciaga said.
Throughout the years, Hernandez has gotten to know many students and staff, and is looking forward to focusing on students and parents with updates during the football season. BVH Varsity Football player and junior Estevan Flores shares insight of what he is looking forward to from Hernandez.
“I’m really looking forward [to Hernandez] being [the] head coach this upcoming season. When I had a successful sophomore year on JV with him, I wanted him to stay and keep coaching. And when I heard Arciaga had to step down because he is now AP I hoped for Hernandez to get the job so that he can keep the winning football culture alive,” Flores said.
Hernandez has been working his way up to being a head coach since he first began his high school coaching career in 2019. He notes how adapting to his new role has gone smoother as a result of the support he is receiving from the BVH community. After a call from BVH Associated Student Body Advisor and Math teacher Christina Ada confirming his position, he was eager to start the process of becoming head coach.
“It was an exciting process. I felt accomplished because I was preparing for around a month and a half to go through that whole process. I felt very accomplished once I was hired. Right [away], I was ready to work. I asked her when we [would] start meeting so it was really good,” Hernandez said.
Soon after Hernandez received the call, he celebrated promotion by cleaning up his office and getting the program started with other coaches’ assistance. Several students similar to Flores hold numerous moments with Hernandez including a team saying, ‘clock is hot.’
“Some moments [we share] with Hernandez is when we joke with him and he’s just really easy and fun to joke around with. Probably the most memorable moment was when I had him as a coach my sophomore year and helped turn our 0-10 Novice [football] team from freshman year to 7-3 my sophomore year,” Flores said.
Various past athletes of his JV team describe Hernandez to be a helpful and supportive coach. When a certain amount of mistakes are made, he takes those same mistakes and uses them as learning experiences for his players afterwards.
“Being on top of our players [to] always make sure we have communication, make sure we provide any during [the] season, provide any study halls or any mentorship or tutoring involved to reach our goals right. I have coaches that will help out with the process, not a one man team where there’ll be a tech team effort with my coaching staff,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez emphasizes how he can always rely on his supporting cast as coaches to assist him with accomplishing his goals. Excited to build off the success the team had last year, he focuses on growing and involving the community. Furthermore, Hernandez strives for and works hard in keeping students’ Grade Point Average (GPA)’s above average.
“Hernandez [has this] goal of having a team GPA of 3.0 or above, [which] shows [how] he is taking on the role of making sure everyone is eligible and disciplined in the classroom. Something else that he does, which is breaking down game film to make sure we’re ready for our games, shows that he can prepare us for our games next year,” Flores said.
Although Arciaga is no longer an official part of the football program as he’s moved on with his profession, a lot of what he has done during his time as Head Coach is still embedded in the football program. Hernandez is continuing what Arciaga started and is prepared for the upcoming season and inevitable challenges.
“The football team, the students and the players will become your family. The majority of my time will be spent here on campus. I’m spending more time here than with my family; my son and my wife. But, that’s the sacrifice you have to make. That’s why I have a great supporting cast. My family supports me, and the great coaching staff supports the process,” Hernandez said.
Hernandez is surrounded by supporters, including Arciaga who is assisting Hernandez step by step throughout the transitioning process. Moreover, Arciaga shares his insight on taking on a new position and how it will always have an encouraging effect.
“You’re never truly prepared for your next job. You are always going to learn new things and that’s what coaching is, [in a way] it is kind of taking pieces from other people and making it [something that] works best for you, and what best fits in your best skill sets. Having that, to not be afraid to ask questions, and to be able to lean on people for advice is a great way [to start off],” Arciaga said.
