Harris Returns to Coaching at Florin
August 1, 2024


Last year the California Interscholastic Federation’s (CIF) Federated Council added girls’ flag football as a statewide sanctioned sport. Recently announced as one of the sportsmaking its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, flag football removes contact from the game, so instead of physically tackling each other, players snatch flags worn on a belt.

Coach Harris

The inclusivity was real. In an era celebrating diversity, equity and inclusivity Coach Mike Harris was intrigued. 

Last year, guys like Steve Young, retired Hall of Fame 49er quarterback, coached his own daughters at Menlo HS in the Bay Area. 

“I was a fan of Steve Young growing up, I saw that he was coaching girls flag football at Menlo. It planted a seed in my head.”

When Harris ran into his old buddy, George Smith, current AD at Cosumnes Oaks, former colleague, coach at Florin and found out that Smith was coaching the girls at CO, Harris was intrigued. Although Harris still coaches baseball at Elk Grove, Harris missed football in the fall and was looking forward to a new challenge. 

Veteran football and baseball coach, Mike Harris, shocked administration by deciding to return to coach at Florin HS. Harris was a varsity baseball coach at Florin from 2002-2007 and football coach from 2002-2012. Since then has been moonlighting at Elk Grove HS winning multiple league titles, section championships and mentoring future pro baseball players. 

Coach Harris said, “I left to spend quality time with my kids who attended Elk Grove High School. (My son) Carter won a section championship, was the section player of the year. I would have missed all that if I was still coaching at Florin.”  

With three kids in college, Harris is looking for a new challenge. 

In the spring 80 girls showed interest, by the end of the summer 24 battle tested Lady Panthers learned the difference between being involved and being committed. The girls practiced in the Sacramento heat, got up early when everyone else was sleeping. Many took the bus, managed jobs, summer school and practice, but found a way to get better every day. 

“A few of our players have come to us from volleyball, soccer and basketball backgrounds, but many have no history of playing sports. Our athletes had zero routines of working during the summer until now. We are making progress. It has been fun. We are creating a new culture.”

Harris teaches life skills through the sport of football such as Mindset and Empowerment while preaching Panther Pride: an acronym representing Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Effort. 

Harris claimed, “If I am remotely successful, it is because of what I learned playing football: getting up one more time than you fall, having respect for self and others, doing the right thing right, you vs you and giving relentless effort. Just trying to give that to the girls." 

Pierre Johnson, the first running back in Sacramento history as a star prep at Cordova HS and assistant coach joked, “Harris probably came back to make some money for all his kids in college, but when he puts his name on something, he’s going to do it 100%. He’s a great coach and person. We are lucky to have him.”