Herrington Has Made His Mark at Hart

Mike Herrington, winningest football coach in Hart High history, has a chance to reach a milestone tonight against Valencia, but he hasn’t given it much thought.

Herrington, who became head coach in 1989, can notch his 100th victory with the Indians.

“If you guys would quit reminding me about it, then I could forget about it,” Herrington said jokingly. “It’s a milestone, not really a goal I’ve shot for.”

Herrington’s record at Hart is 99-23. Second on the victory list is Dennis Wendt, who had a 46-29 record from 1968-74.

Rick Scott, for whom Herrington served as an assistant, was 41-8-2 from 1984-87.

The Indians have dominated the Foothill League in Herrington’s 10 seasons, posting a 42-1 league record and winning eight Foothill titles. Their only league loss under Herrington was to Schurr, 42-35, in 1990.

Since that loss, Hart has won 35 consecutive league games, the second-longest league winning streak in Southern Section history.

Carpinteria won 60 consecutive league games from 1947-57.

A Herrington-coached Hart team has lost to rival Canyon only once--14-7 in 1990. Since then, the Indians have beaten the Cowboys by an average score of 36-14.

Herrington has taken Hart to two Southern Section championship games and three semifinals. The highlight was a 35-28 victory over Antelope Valley in the 1995 Division II title game, his only section championship.

“We’ve had some good [victories], but that’s the one I remember most,” he said.

Herrington said he doesn’t spend much time reflecting on victories. He said he’s had only one thing on his mind this week.

“My only focus has been on beating Valencia,” he said. “I couldn’t care less about anything but Valencia.”

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MARCH TO 100

A year-by-year look at how Hart High Coach Mike Herrington has moved toward his 100th victory:

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Year Overall League 1989 10-2 5-0 1990 9-4 4-1 1991 9-4 5-0 1992 11-1 4-0 1993 10-2 4-0 1994 13-1 4-0 1995 12-2 *4-0 1996 9-3 5-0 1997 11-2 5-0 1998 5-2 2-0 Total: 99-23 42-1

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* Southern Section Division II champions