THE BEST COACHING RECORDS IN LOYOLA HISTORY
As we have been recently reviewing Loyola’s storied championship gridiron history, here’s a look at the records of the best head coaches in Cub Football annals who were at the helm five or more seasons from the 1930s to the present.

AL TASSI (1931-1936)*
Record: 31-12-2 (71% winning percentage)
Highlights:
Won California State Championship (1935),

Defeated L.B. Poly, the CIF Large Schools Champion (1936)

BILL SARGENT (1937-1938, 1943-1946)*
Record: 39-7-3 (83%)
Highlights:
1946 CIF Large Schools Runners-up (10-1, 1945-1946 running back Al Pollard CIF Large Schools Player-of-the-Year

Catholic League Champs 1944, 1945, 1946

JACK BOUCHARD (1947-1951, 1953)
Record: 39-13-2 (76%)
Highlights:
1950 Catholic League Champs, CIF Large Schools  semifinalists

LEW STUECK (1958-1962)
Record: 32-14-3 (68%)
Highlights:
1962 CIF AAAA Champs (12-0, outscored opponents 387-88), tailback Steve Grady named 1962 CIF AAAA Player-of-the-Year)

1961 Catholic League Champs (9-2, tailback Paul Horgan 1961 CIF AAAA Player-of-the-Year)

MARIO DiMURO (1963-1970)
Record: 61-20-3 (74%)
Highlights:
1963 CIF AAAA Champions (12-0, Number 2 in the nation, outscored opponents 350-53, tackle Don Swartz 1963 CIF AAAA Player of the Year),

1964 CIF AAAA Runners-up (11-1, the loss in the championship game ended a 35-game victory streak, which is a Large Schools record),

Catholic League Champs 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969

STEVE GRADY (1976-2004) 
Record: 269-77-6 (77%)
Highlights:
1990 CIF Division I Champs (12-2, linebacker Drew Casani 1990 CIF Div. I Defensive Player-of-the-Year)

2003 CIF Div. I Champs (11-3, quarterback Scott Deke 2003 CIF Div. I Player-of-the-Year, Steve Grady 2003 State Coach-of-the-Year)

1992 CIF Div. I Runners-Up (12-2), 

2000 CIF  Div. I Runners-up (12-2, 15th in nation, quarterback/safety Matt Ware 2000 CIF Div. I Player-of-the-Year)

1995 CIF Div. I Runners-up (11-3)

1996 CIF Div. I Runners-up (12-2, 1996 CIF Div. I Defensive Player-of-the-Year Antoine Harris)

League Champs 1977, 1978, 1979, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991,1996, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2004

*It is believed that there was not a formal Catholic league formed until the early 1940s 

FORMER CUB STANDOUT RECALLS “MOON RIVER” TRADITION - ONE OF MANY IN CUB FOOTBALL LORE
Tim Johnson ‘67, a stellar Loyola defensive back, gave permission to share an email he wrote to a group of former Cub players from the 1960’s about an iconic coach and a song the team would sing on the bus rides back to The High from Friday night games. He also wrote a humorous post script about 1965 Loyola All-CIF tailback Phil Jebbia’s allergy to the grass on which he plied his all-star rushing skills.

The iconic song “Moon River” was written by famed songwriter Johnny Mercer and composed by the celebrated Henry Mancini for the 1961 movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, starring Audrey Hepburn. One of the best renditions of the famed song was performed by Andrea Bocelli, and can be viewed on YouTube.

Here is Tim’s enjoyable story about one of the many great Cub Football traditions and the story behind it:

Origin of "Moon River" tradition, sung by Loyola High football team in bus enroute back to Loyola following varsity football games.....

 

My recollection, starting on '64 team.....

 

Bill Lenihan was a "NEVER-CAN-FORGET" line coach/history teacher, who commanded military discipline and precision in the classroom and on the field. A former player at Loyola, who will always be remebered for his 'only one GLARING/not smiling', in the team picture during his senior year, was married during the '65 season, engaged in '64. When you entered Coach Lenihan's classroom, you sat immediately, no slouching, and did not fidget or speak until the class concluded. No one dared to do otherwise, EVER.

 

A noticeable change came over Coach 'mean-faced' Lenihan once he fell in love.... he softened...actually giving my Junior class a presentation on love and romanticism, quite, QUITE unusual for Loyola and the times we lived in.

 

As a football legend, he was closely watched, and Moon River was mentioned as his favorite song, and very special to him and his wife.

 

Hence, in a tribute to Mr. Lenihan, on/about the '64 season, players began singing it during the following phase of the bus ride, usually as the bus was directed to circle the practice field in celebration. Quite a contrast, trespassing on the practice field whilst singing gleefully, on a field that we had given our blood, sweat and very being to, day after day during the long season.

 

Many tears were merged with sweat and players threw their arms around each other and swayed to the tune. It was special, VERY special; a time I will never forget. To this day, when I hear the song, I stop whatever I am doing and listen intently, forming some of the words myself. My heart fills with pride and beautiful memories of my teammates, my school, our traditions.

 

Of note: Head Coach, Mario DiMuro, was not an inspirational, rah-rah leader. Lenihan was not a spirited, in-your-face Lombardi. He simply glared...or barely cracked a smile, on rare occasions. That's all we needed.

 

After the bus trip, of course, we filed through a joyful, spirited gauntlet of devoted fans/parents/students/girlfriends into the Loyola Chapel (now aptly named the Clougherty Chapel), and connected with our God, giving thanks. Boy, did we have much to be thankful for.

 

An emotional, life-long memory of mind and spirit that will remain with me till I transition...Moon River, wider than a mile..... 

 

Tim (#37) Johnson '67

 

Ps Another unforgettable 'bus ride memory' is sitting next to Phil Jebbia, tailback '65 season, who carried the offense/ball nearly 40 times a game. Despite his massive workload, Phil was ALLERGIC to GRASS!!! During the entire bus ride back to Loyola, Phil ("Flip"), sick and shaking, vomitted into his helmet...at one point, he opened the window and emptied his helmet contents and resumed his odious, startling stomach discharge. What a "Stud" I remember thinking. Simply cannot forget his dedication, loyalty, toughness.