Lemoore High hires from within for new head football coach Rene Asencio, who takes over 2-8 program last season

Asencio, 50, was the junior varsity coach last season and compiled a 5-4-1 season. He will be the Tigers’ third coach in as many seasons. He replaces Crossley, who replaced Shannon Pulliam, who during his stint, led the Tigers to three straight Central Section playoff appearances before resigning following an alleged hazing incident.

The newly minted head coach and his wife Theresa are the parents of four kids and didn’t get into education until recently. He’s had several assistant coaching jobs and head coaching jobs in the past few years, including head coaching stints at Merced’s El Capitan High School and San Jose’s Gunderson High and Yerba Buena High.

While running a successful real estate business he helped coach at Fresno High from 2005-2011, and he got the itch to do more. He returned to school and earned a teaching credential. He was an assistant at Selma High School from 2011 to 2014.

Asencio, who played running back and defensive back during his high school days in San Jose, enjoys the game. “I’ve been a student of the game for as long as I can remember,” he said. “I’m more of a defensive guy, but the last few years I’ve spent a lot of time as an offensive (coordinator).”

The new coach also teaches English at Lemoore High. “Everybody’s been real helpful,” he said. “The kids are great and the teachers are always very helpful.”