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Taking the reigns of any group of individuals mid-swing is a daunting task. A team rattled by the recent departure of Kenny Lawler as head coach doesn’t make the feat any easier. Taking his place, Interim Head Coach James Kuk tries not to let the controversy around the team interfere with his or his team’s goals.”I wouldn’t say this is about me, its all for [the players]. The trick is to keep them focused,” said first-year coach Kuk.

Kuk began his football career playing as defensive-back for Granada Hills High School and let that experience branch a career embedded on the gridiron.

“After I went to college, I had thought I was going to get into sports medicine. Towards the end of my undergrad experience, however, I found myself drawn closer to football and getting involved in coaching,” said Kuk.

Appointed as interim head coach after a brief stint as defensive coordinator, Kuk brings to the fray a bevy of notable football credentials that assure any lack of confidence in his experience.

Receiving his first coaching stint in 1999 at Fullerton High School, Kuk took from each opportunity a piece of coaching savvy that would compound and open up new windows to further stretch his career.

“From [my first coaching job], I worked as an athletic director at the Boys and Girls Club.anything related to sports,” said Kuk as he explained that the experience he gained there led to organizing events for teams such as the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, Anaheim Angels and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Eventually Kuk was welcomed on as an intern for the Los Angeles Avengers, an Arena Football team, where he rose through the ranks to achieve a position behind the defensive coordinator as his assistant.

“That opened up doors for me to the NFL,” said Kuk. “I interviewed with the Miami Dolphins and the Kansas City Chiefs and found a job working directly with player personnel for the Chiefs,” Kuk said.

At Kansas City, Kuk was in charge of evaluating incoming players and potential prospects. More importantly, being able to work around the likes of then Chiefs Head Coach Dick Vermeil and Offensive Coordinator Al Saunders proved invaluable to Kuk.

“Under their tutelage, I learned a great deal of football,” said Kuk.

Coming back to Los Angeles, Kuk bounced around the community college circuit before being called by Lawler to join the Lancers at the start of this season.

After two losses by the Lancers, Lawler was relieved of his head coaching position after one of his players was revealed to have been a registered sex offender and a recent parolee.

Two convincing wins later, Kuk looks to a season that proves fruitful for the players.

“If you set a goal for yourself, and the players get behind that goal, even through adversity, you’ll make it,” said Kuk.

Interim Head Coach James Kuk, on the sideline against Riverside on Saturday. (Charles Digal)

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