Football: Dominguez seeks stability under Donerson

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If it seems like old times at Compton Dominguez this week, that’s a good thing.

The Dons have some stability for a change after struggling to adjust to the coaching carousel that took place last season. Cornell Ward quit after an 0-4 start and then Jose Rosa lasted for one week on an interim basis before Willie Donerson came back to take over the program. Dominguez finished 2-8.

Donerson, who has guided the Dons to three Southern Section titles since 1984, is back for another season. Dominguez could still be in rebuilding mode, though, with only eight seniors and a nonleague schedule that includes Friday’s opener against Bishop Amat in addition to games against Compton, Long Beach Jordan and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame.

‘It’s going to be fun, I’ll tell you that,’ Donerson said. ‘We’ve had some great practices and they’re learning quite a bit.’

Donerson said he left prior to last season because the Dominguez administation wanted its coach to work on campus and he wasn’t willing to do that. A new administration is not making that requirement this year, he said.

Donerson, 66, said he’s not sure how much longer he’s going to keep coaching. His son, Keith, is the Dons’ offensive coordinator.

‘We’re going to play it by ear,’ Willie Donerson said. ‘We’ll see how it turns out.’

--Ben Bolch