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Canyon has hired Vinnie Lopez as its football coach, Comanches athletic director Nate Harrison confirmed Thursday.
Lopez guided Pacifica for seven seasons before resigning after the 2021 campaign.
He led the Mariners to a share of two Empire League titles, five playoff appearances and compiled a 44-28 record.
“We’re super excited,” Harrison said of the hire. “Vinnie has been successful everywhere he’s been. His enthusiasm is contagious.”
“He’s got a wealth of talents,” he added.
Lopez replaces coach Phil Hughes, who resigned after going 17-25 in four seasons.
Lopez said Canyon features many of the qualities he desired in a position.
He believes the Comanches are hungry for a turnaround and have a supportive administration. The school also is located near his home.
“I feel like it’s a good fit for me and it feels like a good fit for them,” he said. “It checked every box I had.”
This fall, Canyon won its final two games to finish 4-6 overall and 2-3 in the Iota League. The Comanches missed the playoffs the past two seasons in the newly-organized league in the Orange County Football Conference.
In the conference’s next two-year cycle, Canyon projects to drop one league lower and join the Kappa League for 2026-27.
The Kappa League could include Esperanza, Portola, St. Margaret’s, Sunny Hills and Fullerton. The latter three programs made notable strides this season.
The conference’s league alignments become official after the state finals this weekend.
Lopez will serve as a walk-on coach at Canyon. He teaches at Pacifica and coaches track.
