The Santa Maria High School football team suffered a blow in recent days but it is not as bad as people might think.

Dan Burns, who was named the head football coach at Santa Maria in the spring, abruptly resigned - just months after being named. He has resigned his full-time physical education position as well.

Mike Pope has been named the interim coach for the 2008 football season which begins at home Sept. 12 against Gonzalez High in the newly renovated Ralph Baldeviez Stadium.

The game will be broadcast live on the internet at santamariatimes.com.

“He said it just didn't feel like a good fit for him,” Santa Maria athletic director Ralph Baldiviez said about the decision by Burns

In an interview with Times sportswriter Kenny Cress last May, Burns said the program was starting a three-year plan and there were a lot of alumni who wanted to see a winning football team.

Baldiviez feels confident that the program will not be hurt in any way with the departure of Burns because of the time that it happened.

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“I'm just glad it took place in the summer,” he explained. “It allowed the other coaches the chance to pull it all together and regroup before practice began.”

The remainder of the coaching staff that has worked with the athletes since spring, will stay intact and Baldiviez believes who is on the staff and the desire of the players will guarantee the program continues to move forward.

“The kids handled things real well when we met with them,” Baldiviez said. “The kids have reacted well to this staff.”

Pope was named the track coach in the spring and has helped the football program through spring and summer and he was set to be a key assistant to Burns.

“One of my assistants, Mike Pope,” Burns said when talking with Cress, “played during the glory years here.”

Pope played under coach Barney Eames in the 1980's.

“Michael is an alumni,” Baldiviez said. “And we have a lot of former players who are passionate about the program and the kids.”

Part of the renewed interest by not only the players but also the alumni are the renovations that have taken place at Santa Maria. The new playing surface and all-weather track are now in place and Baldeviez is happy with the numbers.

“Our freshman and varsity numbers are good,” he explained. “We have good numbers - in the 40s.”

It will not be easy for the Saints, who went 2-8 last season, but with local coaches and kids who are fired up to play at the new field, things are not as dire as they may seem to the general public.

Sports writer Brad Memberto can be reached at 737-1055 or by e-mail to bmemberto@lompocrecord.com

August 19, 2008