Prep Blog

Rio Linda's Michael Morris, Monterey Trail's Kingsley Claudy and Del Oro's Jill Tooker are among six selected as Sac-Joaquin Section Model Coaches for 2012-13.

Morris joins Downey of Modesto's Jana Osgood for CIF statewide honors.

Here's are brief look at why each was selected for the prestigious honor:

• Morris is the athletic director, football coach and track and field throws coach at Rio Linda.
While he's had a number of successful football teams during his 22 seasons as head coach, including a section champion in 2004, he is best known for teaching and mentoring skills.
"I will forever be indebted to him for the caring and guidance he has provided me during my youth and throughout my adult life," said Howard Holcomb, a former player for Morris who is now a vice principal at the school. "He instilled in me a value system that, for me, only a positive male role model could have done."

• Claudy has coached volleyball at three South Sacramento/Elk Grove schools - Monterey Trail, Florin and Valley - over a span of 23 seasons. He has won 10 league titles in boys volleyball and his girls teams have advanced to the postseason for eight straight seasons. He's been named a league coach of the year 13 times.
Claudy, a physical education teacher for 30 years in the Elk Grove Unified School District, has been a Big Brothers/Big Sisters mentor the last four years. He also volunteers with the South Sac Volleyball Club.
He's patient and calm under pressure, but also with a commanding presence, says Monterey Trail AD Rick Arcuri.

• Tooker has coached a variety of sports at Del Oro but is most well known for her tennis coaching. She has coached girls tennis for 13 seasons and boys tennis for the last four years. Her Golden Eagles boys were the Sierra Foothill League and Sac-Joaquin Section champions in 2012.
She spearheaded the fund-raising campaign to build one of the area's top high school tennis facilities at the Loomis school in 2003. She also started a Women's Athletic Club to promote confidence, unity and strength through athletics. The organization works on women's health issues, helps to fund-raise for charity and to promote school spirit.
"She is respected by peers, trusted by student-athletes and supported by the community," said Del Oro principal Dan Gayaldo. "Simply put, Jill doesn't take days off. She consistently projects hope and energy to everyone around her."

Osgood, Pitman of Turlock and Mark Miller of Linden are the other model coach recipients.