Los Al High Football Head Coach to Join California Hall of Fame

Once you hit 300 victories, there’s really only one place you can go.

John Barnes, head football coach at Los Alamitos High School, will be inducted into the California High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame this summer.

At an annual banquet in Fresno June 15, the association will honor Barnes for his years of leading the Los Al High Griffins. Already the winningest football coach in Orange County history, last year Barnes joined an elite group of only 3 other California coaches when he hit his 300 victory.

Click here to see read the story on his preparations for the big win and click here read about the 300th win.

Barnes has already been named to the Los Alamitos Hall of Fame and the Long Beach Hall of Fame. A longtime Placentia resident, he's married to his high school sweetheart, Anita, with whom he's raised three children -- Brian, Jimmy and Karen. Barnes started work with the school in 1979.

"More important and noteworthy than all of his victories, is the manner in which he has helped to shape the future of thousands of young men,” said Sherry Kropp, Los Alamitos Unified School District superintendent in a written statement. “Many have gone on to play professional sports, and all have gone on to be better citizens and human beings because of his influence. Coach Barnes, who coined the phrase 'Griffin Pride' is a shining example of what it means to embody the spirit of excellence so evident in his program. The entire Los Al School community is proud of Coach John Barnes and all of his accomplishments."

The 5th annual awards night is June 15 at the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center at 2233 Ventura in Fresno. The cost is $45 a plate. For more information call 559-268-1000. 

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