Former defensive coordinator hired for the ‘long haul’
MORGAN HILL
Before he joined Jon Michael Porras’ staff as defensive coordinator in 2010, Mike Gemo’s previous experience with Live Oak High School was in 1987 when he watched his Santa Teresa Saints lose 38-15 to the Acorns in the Division I-4A Central Coast Section title game at Spartan Stadium.
At the time, Gemo was on the junior varsity team at Santa Teresa, but he remembers it well.
“All my friends still talk about it every now and then,” he said. “They remember how Live Oak ‘took our championship.'”
Gemo looks forward to sharing in the Acorns’ future success as the program’s new varsity coach. The 39-year-old was promoted Friday to replace Porras and maintain Live Oak’s place as a perennial playoff contender.
Gemo began his tenure at full speed this week with the start of spring football.
“It’s a great honor to be the guy to carry on the great tradition here at Live Oak,” he said Monday before meeting with players for the first time as coach. “My expectations are obviously for me to coach to win, and for the kids to play to win. More important, it’s turning them into fine young men both in the classroom and in the community.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
Gemo prevailed over several candidates, including former assistant coaches and out-of-house applicants, to take over the position that Porras stepped down from after four seasons and a CCS championship appearance in April because of health concerns.
“We like his enthusiasm. He seems very organized, and he has a lot of support from players and parents,” LOHS athletic director Mark Cummins said. “He has experience on both offense and defense.
“Last year was his first year as a defensive coach, and we liked the way he adapted to a new situation. We just think he’s an A overall and will run a quality program.”
A former player at Chico State, Gemo has coached for 13 years. His first three were as offensive line coach at West Valley College. Gemo then joined his college teammate Nick Alfano’s staff at Santa Teresa, where he coached from 2000-09.
Under Gemo, Live Oak’s defense was solid last year, switching from a five-two “50” front — five linemen, two linebackers — to a versatile three-five.
“It really helped us cover the range of offenses we see in (the Mount Hamilton Division,” junior defensive lineman Derek Satterlee said. “He brought that and a new kind of intensity, and it was all refreshing for us.
“I think he’s going to do a lot for us as head coach. He’s already got us excited to go out there and win on Friday.”
Though he has been hired for the “long haul,” Cummins said, and not to oversee the program until Porras is healthy enough to return, Gemo said his predecessor “will always have a spot” with Live Oak football.
“He’s the one who drew me here,” Gemo said. “He’s a great guy, and he’s always done what’s best for Live Oak. If he’s healthy, he’s on staff.”
