Golden Valley raids rival's ranks for new coach

MERCED — Golden Valley has a new football coach, and it's one who will be very familiar to folks who follow the Cougars' crosstown rival.

Former Merced High defensive coordinator Jake Messina replaces Jon Betschart, fired after going 9-21 in three seasons, to become only the fourth football coach since Golden Valley opened in 1994.

Messina ran the defense as Merced won three consecutive Central California Conference titles from 2006-08. The defense gave up 18 points a game and Merced was 34-5.

"He has significant experience in big-game situations," GV principal Craig Chavez said. "He was not head coach at Merced High, but he had a significant role in coaching during those big games."

The Bears went deep in the playoffs all three years Messina was the defensive coordinator, reaching the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title game in 2006.

Messina, who played football at Sequoia High in Redwood City and the College of San Mateo, was a line coach at Palo Alto before coming to Merced in 2002. He coached the defensive line at Merced until he was promoted to defensive coordinator in '06.

"It's a great opportunity" Merced coach Rob Scheidt said. "It's going to be a big challenge, but I think he'll have fun filling that role."

Messina stepped away from the Merced program after the 2008 season to focus on finding a head coaching position.

He was a finalist at Elk Grove in 2008 and was offered the GV job after the 2006 season, but decided to stay at Merced.

"Coming off one successful season," Messina said, "I wasn't ready. I have all the confidence in the world I can do a good job now. My leadership the last three years has been tested. I was asked to do a lot and be in charge of a lot."