Spalding, Johnson Are Together Again : High schools: Football coach wants ex-boss to join him at Mission Viejo.

Marty Spalding made his first decision as Mission Viejo’s head football coach Tuesday, the same day he was offered the job. He selected his one-time boss Bob Johnson, former El Toro coach, as an assistant.

Spalding was selected as Diablo coach Tuesday, pending approval of the Saddleback Valley Unified School District’s board of education, according to Principal Robert Metz. Spalding would replace Mike Rush, who resigned under pressure in March.

Spalding immediately named Johnson the Diablo quarterback coach. Johnson was the El Toro coach from 1978-90. Spalding was his assistant for 12 years. Both will teach at Mission Viejo, Spalding said.

“Bob will coach the quarterbacks and work with the passing game,” Spalding said. “I think that’s a job he can probably handle.”

Johnson’s sons are quarterbacks. Rob plays at USC and Bret recently graduated from Michigan State. Both were standouts at El Toro, where Spalding was the line coach.

The Chargers won three Southern Section titles under Johnson. He resigned after the 1990 season.

El Toro and Mission Viejo had one of Orange County’s most heated rivalries while Johnson was the Chargers’ coach. He had briefly pursued the Diablo job, but withdrew his name two weeks ago.

“We’re simply changing schools,” said Spalding, an assistant at Laguna Hills the last two seasons. “It happens to be El Toro’s in-district rival, but we want to do our very best to accomplish the success we had at El Toro. My feeling is that Bob and I have worked and devoted our lives to coaching young men.”

Spalding said he wanted to retain the current Diablo assistants and recruit others from the school who have coached in the past.

“Their kids were always well-coached and played hard,” Spalding said. “I want an opportunity to coach with some of those guys I used to coach against. I want badly for them to coach.”

Spalding met with Metz on Tuesday to outline the job. His name will be submitted to the board for approval at its May 12 meeting.

He was one of nine coaches who interviewed for the job late last week. Others included former Mission Viejo Coach Bill Crow, former Mater Dei Coach Chuck Gallo, former Rancho Alamitos Coach Mark Miller and current Murrieta Valley Coach Dave Clark, a former Diablo assistant.

Spalding, head coach at Canyon Country Canyon for two seasons, was the line coach at Laguna Hills the last two seasons. The Hawks won the Southern Section Division VII championship in 1991.

“There has been success at the two programs he’s been involved with,” Metz said. “We felt it was a real reflection of his ability. He made a great contribution to both of those staffs.”

Spalding said he hoped to meet with the Diablo football team next week. Spring practice is scheduled to begin mid-May.

Spalding would take over a program that was among the best in Orange County. The Diablos won the Central Conference championship in 1981 and reached the section semifinals from 1988-90. They were 7-4 in 1991 and 5-6 last season.

“I am more interested in getting the kids committed to our work ethic, ideas and the values we want them to demonstrate,” Spalding said. “That’s more important than the nuts and bolts of playing football.”