Bill Zernickow was one of the most successful football coaches in the San Gabriel Valley during his decade tenure at San Dimas from 2005 -2015. Coach “Z” helped the Saints win their first CIF title in 2009 and won a second title in 2013. In eleven seasons at San Dimas, Zernickow compiled a record of 86-27, five final four appearances, and two CIF titles. The Saints football program has had winning seasons every year except his first two; winning at least 8 games a year since. Coach Z won four Smudge pot games against cross town rival Bonita with his fondest memory being the 2007 game in which his team took the prized smudge pot from the Bearcats for the first time in 3 years. Zernickow’s teams were know for successfully running a variation of the Wing T offense. During his 2013 title run, his team averaged 361 yards rushing and scored 41.6 points per game. Through out his time at San Dimas, the Saints became a plug-and-play program, meaning the players changed but the results of his Wing T offense did not. Some of his offensive success can be attributed to an usually large, skilled and well coached offensive line by Assistant Coach (and current head coach) Mark Holman.
Zernickow was a star running back for Glendora High School. As a 16 year old junior he rushed for over 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns. While playing for the freshman team at Glendora he rushed for over 1,500 yards. He played football at Azusa Pacific University and worked as a defensive coordinator at the University of La Verne after graduation. Bill is currently an administrator in the Glendora Unified School District.
