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Coach JP Presley is back in Orange County football.

Esperanza announced Friday that it has hired the former Orange Lutheran coach to replace Wes Choate, who resigned in January after three seasons.

“It’s exciting to be in Orange County again and coaching,” Presley said. “When I saw that this job was open, it was definitely high on my list.”

“I love schools rich in tradition,” he added.

Presley, 47, coached Orange Lutheran for four seasons before being dismissed after the coronavirus-shortened spring season in 2020. The former Orange Lutheran lineman posted an overall record of 17-21 with Lancers, including a 4-15 mark in the Trinity League, but reached the playoffs each season. He coached the O.C. All-Star Classic in January of 2019.

Orange Lutheran won the CIF Division 2 title this fall.

Presley said he missed coaching this past season and plans to share what he learned in the Trinity League with his new players.

“I’m a second-generation coach,” he said. “My father was a coach. I have a passion for leading.”

Presley’s late father, Phil, coached baseball at Orange Lutheran and Cal Baptist.

Esperanza went 3-7 this past season but won a CIF title under Choate in 2019.

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN HIRES MANRIQUEZ

In another coaching announcement Friday, Whittier Christian named former El Dorado and Yorba Linda assistant Frank Manriquez as its football coach.

The Heralds will play in a new, small-school conference next season and compete in the third of four tiers.

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