Beat goes on for Lancers

By: JAY PARIS - Staff Writer | Thursday, October 11, 2007 12:28 AM PDT ∞

CARLSBAD -- Things weren't right, and the man in charge let it be known.

During football practice at Carlsbad High's Swede Krcmar Field, a drill was going haywire at the 40-yard-line.

"Hey, what's going on over there?'' the adult bellowed. "C'mon, let's go!''

Coach Bob McAllister whipping his top-ranked Lancers into shape? Nope, just Carlsbad's band director telling his saxophone players to find the beat.

To locate McAllister, one needs to look, not listen. Wearing his ever-present faded brown Carlsbad visor and white shorts more tattered than torn, McAllister and his charges were quietly working on the neighboring baseball field.

The loudest sound there was a sprinkler soaking a dry infield patch. There were no raised voices, just raised expectations that accompany Carlsbad's 25-game unbeaten streak.

"He's not much of a barker at all,'' Carlsbad athletic director Chris Greene said of McAllister. "He's direct and firm in terms of getting his point across to the kids and assistant coaches, but at the same time he's very laid-back. He doesn't put kids down and any of that other stuff.''

The stuff should hit the fan Friday, when visiting Carlsbad (5-0) puts its streak and No. 1 ranking on the table against No. 3 Oceanside (4-1).

Before kickoff for this crazed matchup, McAllister will be easy to spot. He'll be enjoying the snack bar's fried rice, hanging out along the sidelines and chatting with the chain gang.

He'll save the madman persona and last-minute coaching to others.

"It's done by then,'' McAllister said. "We've got to get things done on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. That is when you win the football game on Friday.''

The Lancers are winners, all right. Included in that 25-game run without losses are consecutive CIF San Diego Section Division I titles. Entering his 14th season at Carlsbad, the 53-year-old McAllister is aiming for his 14th playoff appearance.

"It's pretty amazing,'' Greene said. "Ever since he has taken over, we have been at the top or near the top every single year. And I think he is a big part of it.''

Men are really a whole of their parts. It's life experiences and events that form the DNA of any coach. McAllister has overcome his share of obstacles -- one of which seared an indelible mark in his mind.

You think it's easy erasing the sight of Hank Bauer stretching and going through calisthenics in a ultra-skimpy bikini? Say what?

McAllister and Bauer, the ex-Charger, were teammates at California Lutheran College. McAllister was an undersized defensive back, with Bauer offering his oversized bag of pranks.

One day, Bauer arrived dressed for the beach -- for a woman -- to fire up his Cal Lutheran pals for practice.

While Bauer was stretching the fabric, it was a stretch thinking McAllister could survive.

"He was a very small defensive back, but tough as nails and smart,'' said Bauer, now a member of the Chargers' radio team. "He had to figure out a way to make the team. He didn't belong there, but he did it. I'm not surprised he went into coaching because he loved the game and he was smart enough to do what he loves.''

Everyone loves a winner, and McAllister is proof positive. The love of his life, Connie Goethel, entered McAllister's orbit because of a 2005 Carlsbad triumph over Vista.

Carlsbad volleyball coach Tobin Knudsen had kids enrolled in Goethel's preschool across the street from campus. Connie's son, Travis, was a standout linebacker at Vista, which led to some good-natured ribbing.

So Knudsen arranged a bet: If Carlsbad beat Vista, Connie had to meet McAllister.

Connie stayed true to the bet, but McAllister's chatter couldn't talk her into a date. That came after the season and before the streak got rolling.

"Ever since I've dated her, she has never seen me lose a game,'' McAllister said. "We'll see what happens when we lose -- she might just want to hang out with a winner.''

The pair plans on a June wedding. Hopefully, it's as sweet a hook-up as Carlsbad and McAllister.

"He makes practice fun and is just one of the kids out there,'' Lancers linebacker Jordan Garcia said. "You can definitely tell he loves going out there and doing his job.''

The task at hand is bettering Oceanside in what promises to be a classic North County prep game.

Me? I'm not worried about Carlsbad being ready.

Its saxophone players? We'll see.

-- Contact staff writer Jay Paris at jparis8@aol.com.