Paul Golla named new Independence-Bakersfield football coach
Garces football coach Paul Golla is changing teams, which is never easy.
The five-time Central Section and one-time state championship coach was announced Thursday morning as the new head man at Independent High School in Bakersfield.
“It’s one of the toughest things you’ll ever have to do as a coach — saying goodbye to your players,” said the 52-year-old who spent 14 years at Bakersfield High before the last five at Garces. “Those kids are really like your family. You watch them grow up and get bigger and faster and gain maturity. It’s really a hard thing to do.”
But the road ahead is paved with more than just promise, a supportive administration and good football players — all things Golla is excited about.
It also offers some deep-rooted, emotional memories, namely his late friend Sean McKeown who started the Independence football program in 2009.
McKeown coached the Falcons for six seasons, before resigning to spend more time with his family, including a special-needs son. Before Independence, McKeown was Golla’s offensive coordinator at Bakersfield.
“Sean and I often talked about (Independence),” Golla said. “He often bragged about the school. He’s obviously on my mind.”
One of the Central Section's most successful coaches Paul Golla went 22-27 at Garces over five seasons
Photo: George Ayonayon
McKeown, 48, died of pancreatic cancer "a year and a week ago,” Golla said, noting the date of April 29, before choking up.
McKeown helped Golla during his early days at Bakersfield, where Golla compiled a 135-45 record, including two seasons of 13-1, along with a 13-2 campaign in 2013, when the Drillers won the state Division 1 title. They beat Del Oro-Loomis 56-26 at the then Home Depot Center in Carson.
Golla left Bakersfield, one of the oldest, largest (enrollment 2,900) most historic (founded in 1893) public schools in California’s Central Valley, to coach one of the region’s only private high schools.
In his five seasons, playing a rugged schedule, Golla went 22-27.
He’ll go to a place that went 30-34 over the last seven seasons under Tyler Schihabel, including 4-7 last season when the Falcons were outscored 318-215. Diego Hernandez, a junior quarterback, passed for 615 yards and four touchdowns and rushed for 778 and six scores.
The Bulldogs won nine games in 2021, captured section and regional crowns before losing 20-14 in the 5-AA state title game at San Marin-Novato.
“They have great athletes and have experienced a lot of success,” Golla said of Independence. “It’s exciting to go somewhere with great potential and a supportive administration. I hope we continue their success.”
In a statement released by Independent principal Dr. Guillermo Alvarado: “We are excited to welcome Coach Golla into the Falcon family,” he wrote.
Golla's son, quarterback Gunter Golla will also be making the move to Independence. Last season in 11 games at Garces, Gunter completed 121 of 231 passes for 1,792 yards and 17 touchdowns. He'll be a junior in the fall.
The highlight of 2023 season for Gunter was when he completed 19 of 29 passes for 407 yards and six touchdowns during a 47-13 win over Monache.
Golla believes because he is switching between full-time employment at both schools — the Independence coaching job includes a teaching position — that Gunter will be immediately eligible to play in the fall.
The Central Section office would not confirm that interpretation, writing SBLive Sports: "Every transfer is reviewed when it is submitted by the school and until it is submitted, no ruling can be rendered."
Paul Golla (left) with son Gunter Golla and wife Shelly after Gunter threw for 407 yards in a win over Monache on Sept. 16
Photo: George Ayonayon
