For the second time in three years, Servite is looking for a new head coach.
AJ Gass has been named the new coach at Garces Memorial High School in Bakersfield as first reported by the Bakersfield Californian.
Gass steps down after two seasons at the helm of his alma mater.
The Friars were 10-13 during his tenure. Servite played the toughest schedule in the country in 2013 and the team's schedule in 2014 was nearly just as tough.
While the Friars are expected to return talented wide receiver Osiris St. Brown, they lose star quarterback Travis Waller, an Oregon commit, and now will have to replace their head coach as well.
"I am extremely honored and blessed to have the opportunity to be a part of the Garces Memorial family," Gass said in a text message. "The support from the Administration, Alumni and Community has made this decision an easy one for my family. I cannot wait to build a program that Garces Alumni and students can be proud of for many years to come."
Garces finished 1-9 in 2014 including a 56-0 loss to St. Bonaventure. The Rams were also 0-5 in the Southwest Yosemite League.
It was a down season for a program that recorded double digit wins in each of the previous four seasons. Garces played in a sectional final in 2013. In 2012 the Rams won the Central Section championship.
2014 FOX Sports West/Prime Ticket All-CIF-SS team.
Gass will be the program's third head coach in as many years after Tim Antongiovanni, a Garces alum, resigned last month after just one season.
As for Gass' former team, Servite was the focus of much conversation at the beginning of the PAC-5 playoffs. Despite finishing the regular season 4-6, the team received the final at-large bid over a seven-win Alemany team out of the Mission League.
The Friars were knocked out in the first round by PAC-5 semifinalist Long Beach Poly.
There were rumblings after Troy Thomas left that the administration was looking towards a change in favor of a "Servite guy." They hired Gass. However the alum, too, has decided to leave for another job. It'll be interesting to see what direction the Friars elect to go. One thing is for sure: there will be no shortage of candidates.
