Elijhaa Penny is new John Glenn Football coach
Elijhaa Penny puts on his new colors as he is named the new head football coach at John Glenn High School on Friday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
NORWALK - In a huge move for a football program that is in need of a big shot in its proverbial arm, John Glenn High School has just announced the hiring of local legend and former NFL player and Norwalk High star Elijhaa Penny as its new coach.
“The John Glenn Athletic Department is happy to announce Elijhaa Penny as our new football coach,” John Glenn athletic director Linda Parra said. “Elijhaa is a very likable man. He brings a ton of positive energy. We have had some great talks.
“Elijhaa is a member of the Norwalk community. He knows what it takes to become a successful student-athlete and is going to be a great role model for our students.
We all know that taking on a head position is not an easy task, but I am confident that Elijhaa will bring his positive energy each day to develop his players. He will teach our athletes that anything is possible with hard work and determination. I look forward to working with Elijhaa and supporting him in his new role.”
John Glenn principal Dr. Jennifer Padilla also knows how big of a moment this announcement is for the Eagles program.
“As the proud principal of John Glenn High School, I am thrilled to welcome Coach Penny to our Eagle family,” Padilla said. “I do not doubt that he has the experience, skills, and energy to take our Eagle Football program to soaring heights.
Penny has been a member of the NLMUSD family since he was a student and has returned as a contributor in our community. He is an example to our students of what they too can accomplish with focus, persistence, and humility. Penny is going to be an amazing Eagle.”
As a player at Norwalk, Penny was named to the All-CIF team after the 2010 season, graduated in 2011 and played his college ball at College of the Sequoias, Cerritos College and Idaho.
“I love it a lot,” said Penny, surrounded by the festivities of his announcement (Friday, March 24) at the campus with students all around him.
He spoke to all of the students at lunch as he was welcomed to campus. “I just told The Norwalk Patriot it was a dream come true,” said Penny, to the students. “I can’t wait to win games here and bring championships here.
“It’s like a dream come true. A dream of mine. I was here, I played here in the city.
“Ultimately, me and my brother (Rashaad Penny) never won a championship.
“Obviously, the goal is to win all of our games. That game (against Norwalk) will be bittersweet to win that one. Overall, I think it’s all about developing these kids in the city and watching them develop.”
Elijhaa Penny is involved with his brother, Rashaad to develop players with the youth program, The Norwalk Vikings. (More information and feature in a future issue).
He had a six-year NFL career, playing for the Arizona Cardinals and NY Giants. Penny retired from the NFL in November of 2022.
It couldn’t be better timing for Glenn football, as the Eagles were 5-14 over the last two seasons.
While at Norwalk, Penny was a two-time Suburban League Player of the Year selection and named All-State as a senior, after rushing for 2,200 yards and 21 touchdowns.
As a junior he rushed for 1,652 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also played on defense and posted 11.5 quarterback sacks and picked off four passes. He also played on the basketball team and was on the track and field team.
A memorable game for Penny while at Norwalk was when he rushed for 335 yards and six touchdowns in a comeback win against Westminster High.
Penny’s younger brother, Rashaad Penny, is a running back for the Seattle Seahawks.
In his sophomore season at Cerritos, Penny rushed for 1,338 yards on 199 carries and scored a school record 20 touchdowns.
At Idaho, Elijhaa Penny played in 23 games (14 starts) in two seasons after transferring from Cerritos. He totaled 1,748 yards on the ground and 22 touchdowns on 385 carries with the Vandals. He also had 39 receptions for 346 yards and three touchdowns and returned 15 kickoffs for 278 yards.
Former Giants running back coach Burton Burns said of Penny to reporters in 2020, which was reported on GIANTSWIRE, an online Giants newsletter, “Eli has a great personality, he said. “He is infectious throughout the team. I think guys look up to him, he’s a go-getter. He’s got this attitude: ‘I’ll do whatever it takes’.
“I think the biggest thing with Eli, he’s got great leadership qualities. He’s got a great personality and the whole locker room loves Eli. Just because of his attitude and his desire to do the right thing for us to be successful.”
Words like those will carry Penny far in his position of a high school coach in the coming years.
Elijhaa Penny has already hit the ground running with spring practice right around the corner. He already has his coaches set for the team.
“I have my whole coaching staff already,” Elijhaa Penny said. “Everybody is ready right now. I feel like we’re playing catch up right now. We’re pretty much doing everything we can do, weather it’s double days here in the facility, we’re getting better all ready.”
Penny’s 2 Cent Family Foundation
Elijhaa and Rashaad Penny created the 2 Cent Family Foundation to provide recreational experiences and educational resources to children in their hometown of Norwalk. They also offer a free football camp that teaches young players about sportsmanship, teamwork and hard work while incorporating mentorship from the two NFL brothers.
What they said:
Paulette Gasporra, John Glenn assistant principal: “I am excited to welcome coach Elijhaa Penny to the Eagle Family. I have had the privilege to watch him play in his high school, college, and NFL career. He will be a great addition to our campus. His football experience at all levels brings so much knowledge of the game to our players. His energy and experience is what our students deserve. I look forward to the 2023-2024 football season.”
Veronica Penny, Elijhaa’s wife: “I’m so excited to do so much work with the City of Norwalk and then becoming Lady Eagles. I’m so excited to be a part of the District. Go John Glenn.
(Elijhaa) is a great leader on the field, off the field and in the locker room he was getting high praise. He is really gifted and is a great mentor to the youth.
I used to teach cheer and he’s been telling the coaches around here that maybe I should do cheer.”
David Cruz, former John Glenn football coach: “As one of the AD’s, I’m thrilled. The energy level is up. The whole school atmosphere has changed. It’s for the best and I wish him the best. I hope we go in the right direction.
Now that we hired him, it’s turned around. This is a great opportunity over here and get it started. I imagine the buzz will be back and it won’t take long.”
Tuiono Tuifua, sophomore football player: “It’s a big change and it’ll be good. It’s going to change it this year.”
Joshua Frausto, sophomore football player: “I watched some of his film when they announced when he was to become the coach. It’s cool (former NFL player), but he’s still my coach. He knows what kind of drills to do to get us there.
I’m excited for the season.”
Sebastian Sanchez, freshman football player: “It’s a new experience, It’s a lot to take in, but he’s still our coach.
Our school spirit has been low lately, but I think the new coach, who was in the NFL, has brough up our school. It will give us more of a name for our school.
I’m already doing training.”