Former Husky Lineman Returns Home to Join Coaching Staff
by Cerwin D Haynes
For a community college, it's hard to beat stories of successful local products who matriculate and ultimately return home to work in their community.
New East LA College assistant football coach Arnulfo "Arnie" Robles is a prime example such a product: born and raised in nearby Pico Rivera, Robles is a Salesian HS grad who played for ELAC Football from 2015-2017 as an offensive lineman. He transferred to Whittier, graduated, and was coaching/teaching at the high school level before joining head coach Bobby Godinez's staff. Coach Robles played for Godinez (aka "Coach G") in 2016, Godinez's first year as coach and the year the team beat College of the Desert to win the Patriotic Bowl.
Coach Robles sat down with us to talk about his journey and what it means to return to the college that gave him so much.
CH: Arnie, you're a prime example of a local kid who stayed loyal to the area by playing locally here, then at Whittier College. Now you're back as an assistant coach. Talk about your loyalty and pride of, not just being a Husky, but being an East LA product.
AR: Yea, like you touched on I stood very local throughout my playing and academic career. Starting at Salesian in Boyle Heights, winning a CIF championship there, coming to ELAC, winning a conference championship and bowl game, then finishing my last two years and getting my Bachelors degree at Whittier College. The area definitely becomes a part of you and it's something you take pride in especially when you meet people who aren't from here. Anytime anyone ever asks me where I played or went to school, I always say ELAC with pride along with Whittier College. It's more than just a "juco" to the people that are from here.
CH: You were a key member in Coach G's 2016 Patriot Bowl win, a landmark victory that served notice to the state that ELAC Football was on the rise. Fast forward to today, the program now competes in the much tougher National Division, is coming off two straight seasons of bowl appearances as a National Division member, and has shown it can successfully compete with the programs considered the traditional cream of SoCal JUCO football. From a player then to now coach, how does that make you feel?
AR: I think about that every day I come to practice and see the changes from when I was here. The first year of the Coach Godinez era was a year of change from the past years at ELAC, and served as a building block for the years to come; not just record wise but also culture wise. It's satisfying as a former player to see the success continue, but more so it speaks to the coaching staff that's been here since 2016. Coaches like Coach G, Coach [Dwon] Drum[mer] and Coach [Brian] Dixon have proved that they have the formula and know what it takes to have a high performing program at this level... not just a lucky year here and there.
CH: Describe Coach G from a player's standpoint and now from a member of his coaching staff. Differences in playing for him versus coaching for him, what values/principles carry over, etc...
AR: Coach G is Coach G, no matter who you are! He is that same person/leader no matter whether you are a coach or a player. He's a professional as a coach and mentor, he sets a standard of excellence and holds you to that standard as a coach and player. What I see that's unique about Coach G is that no matter who you are, he will find a way to get the best out of you. As a coach and player he doesn't just demand the standard but he gives you the tools to reach it also.
CH: What developed or sparked your passion to coach? And who were your mentors in that regard?
AR: I think what really got me in to coaching was playing my last year at Whittier. Football became a huge part of my life, and the life lessons I took from football have shaped me and who I am as a person. My dad passed away when I was younger and I found positive male role models in my football coaches. I think both my love for football and wanting to be a positive male role model for younger guys who need one were major reasons in my decision to start coaching. And now I'm in love - I can't picture myself being more fulfilled in a career outside of coaching.
CH: What are your goals as an ELAC Assistant Coach?
AR: As an ELAC Assistant coach I want to play a role in helping the program move forward, while also helping the players navigate these crucial years in their lives. I want us to be successful on the field as a team, but more so I want every player on the team to have the opportunity to use football to get their 4-year degree and build a positive, prosperous life for themselves. Accomplishing those things at this level will also give me the tools I need to progress as a coach.