Servite’s Chris Reinert Steps Down as Trinity League Football Head Coach
Trinity League Sees Surge in Coaching Changes Ahead of New Season
In a surprising turn of events, the Trinity League has experienced a significant shake-up in its football coaching staff just as prep teams gear up for the upcoming season. Following the announcement that Rod Sherman is no longer the head coach at Orange Lutheran, Servite has confirmed that third-year coach Chris Reinert has also stepped down. This development brings the total to three new coaches within the league this fall, with JSerra already securing Hardy Nickerson as its head coach.
The landscape of the Trinity League has notably shifted, with five of its six member schools having changed coaches within the last three years. This is particularly striking for a league known for its competitive programs. The only remaining consistent presence is St. John Bosco’s Jason Negro, who has been at the helm since 2010. Schools such as Santa Margarita, Mater Dei, Servite, JSerra, and Orange Lutheran have all undergone multiple coaching transitions.
The recent coaching carousel began when Troy Thomas was let go from Servite and replaced by Reinert in 2023. Thomas achieved significant success, winning two Southern Section Division 1 titles during his time with the Friars. His departure marked a shift for Servite, which has experienced considerable turnover since then.
Adding to the turmoil, Bruce Rollinson retired from Mater Dei following a controversial season in 2022 that involved a lawsuit and led to enhanced scrutiny of the school’s safety protocols. After a brief tenure, assistant coach Frank McManus, who steered the Monarchs to a state title, was replaced by Raul Lara, a former Long Beach Poly coach.
In response to a reported hazing incident, Santa Margarita also made a coaching change in 2024, appointing alumnus Carson Palmer, a Heisman Trophy winner. Under his leadership, the Eagles enjoyed immediate success, clinching the Division 1 section and Open Division state titles that same season.
Chris Reinert, a Servite alum, announced his resignation today after three seasons at the helm. "It was 100% my decision and something I was thinking about for a while," he stated, expressing gratitude for his time at the school. He plans to explore coaching roles at a higher competitive level and assist with the transition for Servite’s coaching staff.
JSerra’s recent changes also reflect the pressures within the league. After firing Victor Santa Cruz last November, the school hired Nickerson—who has experience in the NFL—as their new leader. With the departures of Sherman and Reinert, the emphasis is on establishing stability among coaching ranks.
Negro emphasized the intense expectations for coaches within the Trinity League. "People do not understand the pressures and how challenging coaching in this league truly is," he noted. With fundraising reliant on competitive success, schools continuously strive to outdo one another, placing further pressure on head coaches to deliver results within a limited timeframe.
As the landscape evolves, Reinert’s departure raises questions about Servite’s future. Notably, Troy Thomas, who has recently stepped down as defensive coordinator at Edison, has expressed interest in returning to a role at Servite, a program he has publicly supported.
With coaching positions rapidly turning over, the Trinity League remains a focal point for high school football enthusiasts, closely watching who will emerge as the next leaders for their storied programs.
