Marinkovich, Mike

On Wednesday, February 2, 2011, Mary Star of the Sea High School announced that Mike Marinkovich will take over as head coach of the varsity football team.

 

The move marks a second stint for Marinkovich, a 1981 Mary Star graduate who served as head coach from 1989 through 1993. He replaces Dino Andrie, a fellow alumnus who stepped down in December to spend more time with his family.

 

Currently the school's Dean of Academic Studies, Marinkovich has also served as the Vice Principal, Athletic Director and Dean of Discipline. In recent years, he has worked as the football program's varsity defensive coordinator and junior varsity head coach.

 

"The kids are familiar with me," Marinkovich said. "I'm a known quantity. They know what to expect from me and I feel I can make any changes that are necessary to take us into the next year and beyond."

 

Principal Rita Dever said Mary Star had more than 40 applicants for the position. After narrowing the field to nine candidates, the Stars conducted an extensive interview with each of the finalists with a panel that included Dever, Mary Star Parish Pastor Fr. John Provenza, Athletic Director Fr. Anthony Kopp, Booster Club representative Bill Muller and football parent representative Steve Tedesco.

 

A Mary Star graduate, Dever said Marinkovich was the most qualified choice and best fit for the school. "He has the X's and O's down and he has impressed me with his strong organizational and administrative skills," Dever said. "Mike loves the school, he loves football and he loves the community. I couldn't be happier.

 

"I'm proud of this decision that we made."

 

Marinkovich played lineman for Mary Star from 1977 to 1980 and as a senior was named Most Valuable Player, All-CIF and All-League. He enrolled at Notre Dame in the fall of 1981 and earned his degree in accounting.

 

Marinkovich has coached at San Mateo Serra and Santa Maria St. Joseph, but says he feels at home at Mary Star. When he was originally hired as head coach in 1989, Marinkovich was able to bring back some traditions and helped stabilize the school's football program with a league championship in 1990.