Nicolopulos returns as Woodside High football coach Nicolopulos returns as Woodside High football coach (January 28, 2004)

By David Boyce

Almanac Staff Writer

Being fired is not always the end of a relationship, as proven by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who has fired and rehired five general managers. Billy Martin alone was hired and fired four times and forced to resign once.

Now at Woodside High School, it's second-chance time for Steve Nicolopulos, the former head coach of the varsity football team who was fired by Principal Linda Common in 1996. Eight years have passed, Ms. Common is still the principal and now Mr. Nicolopulos is back as head coach for the 2004-05 season.

Mr. Nicolopulos -- who is also the school's athletic director -- will replace physical education teacher Packy Moss, who resigned earlier this month after three losing seasons as head coach. This year's season ended early when Ms. Common, with the agreement of the coaching staff, cancelled the last two games after several players were caught using obscene language in a locker room chant about Mr. Moss.

Obscene language had also figured in the dismissal of Mr. Nicolopulos, who had been fired after he reportedly shouted obscenities from the sidelines during a 46-0 loss for the Wildcats in the championship game that year after a 9-1 regular season.

"I didn't fire him over his ability to be a coach," Ms. Common told the Almanac. "Everybody has a right to learn from his mistakes. He wanted to be given a second shot at it and I wanted to let him. ... He's done a great job [as athletic director] and I'm pleased with the progress he's made and I'm giving him that chance."

"I'm excited about it. It's something I love to do," Mr. Nicolopulos said. "It's in my blood."

From 1992 to 1996, when he was Woodside's head coach, the team had four consecutive winning seasons, including two as Peninsula Athletic League champs. He was an assistant coach at Menlo College between 1997 and 2001.

Mr. Nicolopulos was the only applicant for the job, Ms. Common said, adding that she's seen positive changes in his attitude over the eight years.

"I'm looking forward to a new beginning," Mr. Nicolopulos said. His first steps will be to put together a coaching staff and meet with the athletes, he said.

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