When Bill Powell started teaching and coaching at San Jacinto High School in 1995, he couldn’t imagine that nearly 30 years later, he would be honored by having its football field named for him. The official dedication will take place on Sept. 20 at halftime when the Tigers face San Bernardino’s Cajon High School.
The San Jacinto Unified School District Board of Trustees unanimously voted to have the SJHS Tiger Field named the SJHS Coach Powell Tiger Field at their June 10 board meeting. They outlined the many reasons why the action item was justified and followed Board Policy and Exhibit 7310 (regarding memorials). “Upon request, the Board shall consider naming buildings, parts of buildings or athletic fields, gardens, or other district facilities, in memory or honor of students, staff members, community members, and benefactors of the district.”
Board member John Norman Sr., who coached alongside Powell in the past, said, “What an honor it is to have all these guys come here to support and celebrate with you. The kids who play on that field from this point on will have the chance to know who you are.”
The Board of Trustees and staff had received several requests to name the San Jacinto High School field after longtime employee Bill “Coach” Powell. He officially retired from SJUSD in June. At the board meeting, it was noted that Powell led the football team at San Jacinto High School for 17 successful years. During his tenure the Tigers made the playoffs in 15 out of 17 seasons, achieved two CIF Playoff Final appearances and one Semi-Final Playoff appearance and had 135 victories under Powell’s leadership. Many players advanced to play Division 1 football and notably, one player even went on to compete in the NFL.
Powell received multiple Coach of the Year accolades throughout his coaching career there. He always prioritized community engagement by welcoming back more than a dozen former players as teachers for SJUSD, many of whom attended the board meeting. To this day, he continues to mentor young men and women, guiding their development to serve their communities. He has actively involved community members and player families in the football program and successfully managed the transition from a small school with less than 500 students in the late 1990s to a large school with over 2,500 students.
In introducing Powell to say a few words, Superintendent David Pyle said, “On behalf of the board and San Jacinto, we just are so thankful for the service that you have given to our district and the amount of lives you have impacted on the football field; it’s just incredible, so thank you.”
Powell, who was humbled and said he didn’t feel worthy of the recognition, thanked everyone for the tremendous honor and singled out many of the former athletes that filled the boardroom, thanking them for all they have done and for listening to the message he tried to teach them.
He said that when he and Steve Simpson took over the football program, they wanted to change the unacceptable culture in the valley that somehow San Jacinto was less than Hemet, compelling them to emblazon “No Excuses” on the back of their shirts.
“We didn’t have the fanciest things, we didn’t have the greatest equipment, we didn’t have a ton of players but what we did have was a lot of heart and a lot of toughness and a lot of intestinal fortitude,” Powell said.
He said when he is asked what game he remembers the most, he admits it is the first one. “We played West Valley and nobody gave us a chance,” Powell recalled. “I’ll give you the G-rated version, we kicked the living snot out of them. It was 27-13; it wasn’t that close.”
Powell said that the first season’s team really set the foundation, and it helped San Jacinto High School players believe that they could be successful. “That team went on to win eight games and it changed the perception and the culture and pride in that school,” he said. “When I look back, I’m probably more proud of that than anything else.”
Rafael Ojeda, of Hemet, played four years of SJHS football in the mid-1990s, starting with Powell as his coach. “He gave us opportunities and a place to learn discipline,” he said. “He inspired us and gave us something to rally behind as a group of young men.” During Public Comments, Ojeda added, “The way he talked about teamwork; he instilled that in all of us.”
Rene Gonzales, who now works with Valley-Wide Recreation and Park District, said, “Coach Powell gave me an opportunity to thrive and show me what it was like to be a man. He not only taught me the game of football, but he taught me the game of how to live my life, how to act in front of people and how to lead by example. He wasn’t afraid to say ‘I love you’ and he wasn’t afraid to give you a hug. These are things that mean more to me than any wins or losses so thank you Coach Powell for everything you’ve done for me and my family.”
Powell started coaching football in 1985 as an Assistant and then as a head Coach of lower levels in both Northern California and San Jacinto. He said, “My high school coach inspired me to become a coach; after my first game I was hooked. I played three sports in high school and played in college but started coaching due to injuries.”
Born and raised in California, Powell coached in Northern California for 11 years before bringing his talents to San Jacinto. His career at SJHS included teaching physical education and special education classes. In 2021, he became an assistant principal at the school.
The day after the SJUSD Board of Trustees meeting in June, Powell planned to be on the field coaching Green Valley High School football players during practice in Las Vegas, where he has moved.
“I came here to retire and help in the program, but the previous coach quit, and they approached me about taking over,” Powell, 59, said.
The team is doing well so far in the season. “The kids are working hard, and we won our first game vs Herriman HS from Salt Lake City, 22-21,” he said. “It was a big win over a talented highly ranked 6A team from Utah. I’m very proud of our kids.”
In addition to Powell’s commitment to the San Jacinto Tigers, he has long been involved with the Riverside County Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame, currently serving as its president. The local chapter was formed in November 2003 and represents more than 50 high school football programs with more than 6,000 student athletes. Its annual Scholar-Athlete Banquet has become an honored tradition with renowned guest speakers and scholarships for outstanding players.
Powell has been part of the NFF since 2001 as a way “to give back to the game and honor student athletes,” he said. He has joined the Las Vegas Chapter and will continue to be involved with the Riverside County Chapter. For more information, www.footballfoundation.org.
“My family, and especially my wife Danielle who gave up a lot for me to be able to do what I do, have always been my motivation,” Powell said. “They have supported me and allowed me to have a career I could have only dreamed about as a young coach. I love my team here in Vegas and I am appreciative of being back coaching.”
Although he has moved from San Jacinto, his legacy will stay behind at the San Jacinto High School Coach Powell Tiger Field. The Board’s action item stated, “Coach Powell’s dedication to the team and community has left a lasting impact on the school and its students.” For more information on SJHS sports programs, please visit https://sjhs.sanjacinto.k12.ca.us.
