PNS Academy

Coaches

Latario Rachal - Wide Receivers Coach

Latario attended Carson High School where he was voted as an All-American for his achievements in football. He became the school’s single season leader in touchdowns, yards and yards per reception. He is still among the leaders in California’s football history in both receiving touchdowns with 22 and with most points by a receiver in a single season with 132. He graduated from Carson and attended El Camino Community College where he continued on with becoming an All-American breaking its school records. He later played at Fresno State and put made his mark on their program by receiving the team’s award for Special Teams Player of the Year and was named Special Teams honorary captain in 1994. After tearing his ACL in 1995 and having surgery on it in 96', he realized his love for training. In 1997, he returned to form playing with the Amsterdam Admirals of the NFL Europe League & the San Diego Chargers. Latario continued to solidify himself as great football player earning Special Teams honors for both the Admirals and the Chargers. He played two years for the San Diego Chargers, primarily as a special teams punt returner and a wide receiver. In 1998, he finished 2nd in the AFC, with 387 yards on 32 returns. In 2001, he played for the L.A. Extreme (XFL champs) and earned special teams "Player of the Year." He went on to play for the Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian football league and once again earned special teams honors. He ended his professional career in 2005 with the Central Valley Coyotes of the Arena Football League 2. In 2006, he began coaching wide receivers at Chadwick School where he has coached a 1,000-yard receiver in each of his years (2006-present). He has also coached the top punt returner (touchdowns, and yards averaged per return) in Prep League & CIF. In '07-'08, Latario coached at Harbor College where he worked hands-on with two All-American wide receivers who have amassed over 1,000 yards respectively in a single season under his watch (Deryn Bowser- Akron Zips, Chris Matthews- Kentucky Wildcats). Both Deryn and Chris were still relatively new to the position while at Harbor College. Latario currently teaches yoga & body conditioning classes Monday-Thursday at the Carson Community center. He is also a personal trainer who focuses on speed training.

Armin Youngblood - Quarterbacks Coach

Armin began playing quarterback at the age of 7 in youth football. He continued to play and excel at this position through the youth football system and into high school. He attended Carson High School where he had Steve Clarkson as his quarterback coach. During his career at Carson, Armin was a key contributor in their championship run during the '88-'89 season. In his senior year, Youngblood led his team to the city finals where they fell short. That year Youngblood finished as one of the top quarterback in the state statistically. He went on to receive a Division 1 scholarship as a quarterback to play at Fresno State University. During his time at Fresno State, he was coached by Rich Olson. He found himself learning the system behind starter and Super Bowl, winner Trent Dilfer. Armin was a part of a conference championship and bowl victory in the same year at Fresno State. After his playing days, he began coaching at the youth football level. Later, he began coaching on both the high school and Jr. College level.

Patrick Afif - Offensive Line Coach

Afif is a prototypical professional lineman at 6'7", 320 lbs. Patrick started his promising career as an offensive lineman at Orange Coast College where he was a two-year starter. In 2002, he headlined the season as a Pre-Season All-American and did not disappoint those who voted for him as he earned All-Conference honors. By the end of his sophomore season, Patrick was ranked as the No. 2 junior college offensive lineman in the entire country, also being rated as one of the top 125 junior college players by Prep Star Magazine. After his two years at Orange Coast College, Patrick signed with Washington St University where he spent his next two years starting on their offensive line. Rivals.com named Patrick as one of the top 25 impact players who signed in 2003. Patrick quickly became an asset to the Cougars being versatile enough to play just about all five positions on the offensive line. After graduating from Washington St, Patrick was picked up by the Washington Redskins in 2005, but was unfortunately unable to continue with the team due to physical issues. After his short time with the Redskins, he had an opportunity in 2005 to start in the Japan Bowl. In 2006, Afif began his climb in the Arena Football League playing for the AFL2 Rio Grand Dorados. In '07, Patrick signed with the San Jose Sabercats and was granted the starting job. That same year, the Sabercats went on to win the Arena Bowl. In 2008, Patrick signed with the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League and has recently signed a contract to play in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the 2009 season.

Traco Rachal - Defensive Backs Coach

Traco was a standout strong safety at Carson High and helped lead the Colts to the ‘93 L.A. City Section championship. In addition, he was the captain of Carson's track & field team. Traco began his collegiate career with two years at Fresno City College where he was selected as a pre-season Blue Chip All-American. During his time at Fresno City College, Traco was an All-Valley Conference pick in 1996. Rachal played one season at Texas A&M University-Commerce. In 1997, he was an All-Lone Star Conference second-team selection as a cornerback after intercepting four passes and returned one of them for a score. He also ranked among the NCAA Division’s I and II leaders in kickoff returns for the Lions.

Traco Rachal started his professional football career in the Canadian Football League as an outside linebacker with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in '00 and '01. It was after playing in Canada that Traco decided not to play football anymore and started working at the Torrance YMCA for the next 3 years. In 2004, Traco felt it was time to come out of retirement and play again. He signed with the Laredo Law of the Arena Football League 2 and was selected as the 2004 Arena Football 2 "ADT Defensive Player of the Year." While playing in all 16 games, he led the Law with 75 tackles (57 unassisted), broke up 15 passes, and tied for the league lead with 10 interceptions. Rachal, who was named to the All-AF2 first team, also forced a fumble, recovered a fumble, blocked a field goal, and recorded half a sack. After a stellar year, Rachal signed with his hometown team, the Los Angeles Avengers in '05. Rachal played one season with the Avengers before moving on to play with the Las Vegas Gladiators in '06. Rachal spent the '07 and '08 seasons with the Tampa Bay Storm. This past season, Rachal was 5th in the entire league with 110.5 tackles and was tied for second in the league in fumble recoveries. He also had 5 interceptions and finished in the top 5 with forced fumbles. He led the Storm in tackles, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, interceptions and special teams tackles.