When newly appointed Sedona Red Rock High head football coach Rob Lezcano took the job on March 7, his visions for the program couldn’t help but race through his head like a day at the Daytona 500.
In his short tenure as head coach, which started exactly two months ago today, Lezcano has already identified his current talent at the high school and his future talent at the local grade schools.
He’s made a Sedona football Web site; he’s hired his assistant coaches; and he’s gotten 40 to 50 kids working out in the weight room at 6 a.m. and after school.
By Brian Bergner Jr.
Larson Newspapers
When newly appointed Sedona Red Rock High head football coach Rob Lezcano took the job on March 7, his visions for the program couldn’t help but race through his head like a day at the Daytona 500.
In his short tenure as head coach, which started exactly two months ago today, Lezcano has already identified his current talent at the high school and his future talent at the local grade schools.
He’s made a Sedona football Web site; he’s hired his assistant coaches; and he’s gotten 40 to 50 kids working out in the weight room at 6 a.m. and after school.
“This is pretty much unheard of. It’s truly amazing,” Lezcano said.
Lezcano, 45, was born and raised in Miami, Fla., a state which screams football mentality. Once high school and college football was over, Lezcano got a tryout with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. Unfortunately, Lezcano broke his jaw which abruptly ended his football-playing career.
“It was a freak injury. Once I was done playing I got into coaching, ” Lezcano said.
After cutting his teeth as a receivers’ coach, an offensive line coach and other duties at different high schools in Florida, Lezcano moved to Sedona where he was hired by Sammy Davis in 1995, the original football coach for the Scorpions at the high school.
Lezcano also worked for head coach Jim Cromartie during the 2000 football season and came back for Cromartie’s last year in 2005.
Years later, and with the program struggling as Sedona suffered through a 2-18 mark during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, Athletic Director John Parks and Principal Dave Lykins decided it was time for a change.
“We want to bring respect back to the program. Guys know I care about them and there isn’t one thing they do that I don’t do,” Lezcano said.
The respect for their coach is beginning to grow, and while asking players what they’re looking forward to, playing football for Lezcano is at the top of the list.
As for his assistant coaches, Wayne Roberts returns to coach the offensive line, Jerry Eaton will be the head assistant coach and Matt Vukelich will coach the defensive line and most likely call the defense.
“I’m just waiting for Vukelich to push me out of the way,” Lezcano said laughing.
What may be most important to this program — the kids who play in it and the community — is that Lezcano’s greatest quality is that he knows what he’s talking about, plus he’s enthusiastic about everything he does.
That enthusiasm breeds success and just spending a few minutes with Lezcano, he’ll get you to believe in anything.
“This football program is all about the kids and getting them to the next level. Every kid has a different level and I’m here to get them over the hump and accomplish their goals,” Lezcano said.
