Fightin' Irish Football Academy

The Fightin’ Irish Football Academy is the only summer opportunity in San Francisco to play football in its natural state - with pads on! While safety is the Academy’s top priority, each athlete will be provided with top of the line equipment over the course of the week to simulate the experience of high school level football. The Academy will also have non-padded segments using traditional flag football to teach the passing game. 

The Academy will teach the basics of football. Athletes will be introduced to all positions and learn the proper way to throw, run, catch, punt and kick the football. The Academy will teach proper blocking and tackling positions and fundamentals. Athletes will participate in many fun games and competitions to practice their skills while having a blast and making lasting relationships. Be a part of something unique this summer! Be a part of the Fightin’ Irish Football Academy! See you on the field. 

Academy Director: Ken Peralta ’79
Peralta has 30 years of football coaching experience, including seven as head coach at Marin Catholic, where he won four Marin County Athletic League titles, two North Coast Section titles, and advanced to the sectional semifinals or finals in six of seven years.

After graduating from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education/Health, Peralta went on to pursue a career working with young people. He began his coaching career as an assistant at SHC in 1981 and went on to earn a master’ degree at the University of New Mexico. He coached at several other schools around the West before returning to San Francisco as the head coach at Archbishop Riordan High School. He led the Crusaders to an undefeated WCAL championship and an appearance in the Central Coast Section final in 2000 before taking over as the offensive line coach at Cabrillo College for two years.

Coach Peralta will take over SHC’s varsity program in the fall of 2013, which won their first ever CCS title in 2008 and advanced to another sectional final in 2011. He has been running padded football camps during the summer for the past 10 years. In addition to coaching football, Peralta will be a teacher in the Religious Studies Department at SHC.