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Football: Los Alamitos’ Barnes approaching another milestone

Los Alamitos football coach John Barnes will enter the 2012 season just five victories away from 300 for his career, a feat only three coaches in the state have accomplished.

Barnes, 63, has an Orange County-record 295 career victories. He has won 293 games in 33 seasons with the Griffins. He also won two games with Magnolia before his tenure at Los Alamitos, which started with the 1979 season.

Barnes said approaching the milestone makes him feel proud of his players and assistant coaches over the years. “You don’t win without great players and great coaches,” he said between the Griffins practices Monday.

Concord De La Salle’s Bob Ladouceur and the retired Marijon Ancich (St. Paul/Tustin) and Herb Meyer (Oceanside, El Camino) are the only other California coaches with 300 career victories. For 2012, Barnes will have a new assistant coach on his staff. Former Cypress coach John Selbe has joined forces with the Griffins and will coach defensive backs.