Another big name — former Super Bowl champion David Diaz-Infante — named head coach in WCAL
The West Catholic Athletic League is evidently a prime destination ground for high school football coaches, aspiring and experienced.
Two-time winning Super Bowl champion David Diaz-Infante, 59, was named the new head football coach at Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose it was announced by the school on Friday.
- LEAD PHOTO COURTESY OF BELLARMINE COLLEGE PREP ATHLETICS
A 1982 Bellarmine graduate, Diaz-Infante replaces Jalal Beachman who resigned after the 2022 season.
He's the second big name coach to join the league after St. Ignatius announced its hiring of former USC assistant Lenny Vandermade on March 1.
“David brings a sense of pride, tradition, and hard work from his playing days at Bellarmine, San Jose State, and the NFL," Bellarmine athletic director Kevin Saldivar said in a release. ".His love and enthusiasm for Bellarmine football and the life lessons that the game can teach young men is what is most exciting about this new chapter of Bellarmine football. I can’t wait to see David build on the past success of the program while forging his own legacy for many years to come.”
Diaz-Infante, an offensive lineman, won two Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos in the 1990s. After his playing days, he was a color commentator for ESPN before embarking on a coaching career in the NFL, with the Chargers, Jets and Cardinals.
“I am beyond excited to have been given the opportunity to lead the next chapter of the storied Bellarmine football program,” Diaz-Infante said in the release. “Being named head coach and following in the footsteps of John Hanna, Walt Arnold, Mike Janda, and Jalal Beauchman is a tremendous honor.
"I’m excited to add to the history and legacy those coaches have carved. Bellarmine and Bellarmine football have a rich tradition and history and I’m thankful to the school administration and athletic director for trusting me to carry that legacy forward.”
He replaces Beauchman, another Bellarmine alum and former college player and coach, who coached three season, leading the Bells to a Central Coast Section Division 2 title and Northern California 3-A region crown. His teams went 18-14 during his three seasons. He replaced Janda, who coached 36 seasons before retiring in January of 2020.
Diaz-Infante talked with Darren Sabedra of San Jose Mercury News and said "No one has what Bellarmine has."
