OCEANSIDE — Students, teachers and alumni gathered at Oceanside High School on Dec. 8 to rename the recently renovated stadium after Coach John Carroll.
Carroll’s success in coaching high school football is unmatched. He led the Pirates to two state championships, 13 CIF titles and 21 consecutive playoffs in his 26 years of coaching.
Fellow football coach David Barrett gave Carroll kudos for his passion, knowledge of the game and love of players.
“He is successful to the degree no one could imagine,” Barrett said.
Football players and colleagues described the beloved coach as an educator, father and leader.
Many talked about Carroll’s ability to bring young men of different ethnicities and affiliations together as one cohesive team.
“He’s a father to us past, present and future,” Tommy Woo, a varsity player, said. “When we join this team we become brothers.”
Carroll lit up the stadium when he accepted the honor on behalf of the football team and school, and encouraged students to set and meet high goals.
“He’s a machine,” fellow high school coach Frank Zimmerman said. “He’s so consistent with the quality he brings day in and out. I love watching him work. The development that happens (with players) is amazing.”
NFL player Roberto Wallace talked about Carroll’s influence in his choice to switch from playing high school soccer to football.
“It was the best decision I ever made in my life,” Wallace said. “He must have seen something in me I didn’t see.”
The high school stadium had top-to-bottom renovations completed in 2010, including installation of an Astroturf playing field.
Improvements were paid for through Proposition H bond measure funds.
Renaming the athletic facility to honor Carroll was approved by the school district board of education in June.
Current board members said they wanted to hold the dedication ceremony while they still served together.
“He truly earned this prestigious honor,” Adrianne Hakes, school district board president, said.
Oceanside High School will be vying for its third state championship under Carroll’s coaching Dec. 12.
