Coach Abe!

Abe Arguello is back on his old stomping grounds in District 20-5A, only in a different uniform.The 34-year-old Arguello is Westside’s new head baseball coach, but he made a name for himself at Lamar, one of the Wolves’ biggest rivals. Arguello played catcher and second base at Lamar before graduating in 1993 and returned to his alma mater as the varsity pitching coach for three seasons from 2004 to 2007.“It will be strange coaching against my old school,” Arguello said, “but it’s a real blessing to be at Westside. We already have a great foundation in place. We have a chance to build the program into one of the best in the state.”Arguello replaces former Westside coach Emrick Jagneaux, now at Deer Park.“Coach Jagneaux did an exceptional job during his time at Westside,” Arguello said. “He’s truly one of the best coaches in the business. I have some big shoes to fill.”Arguello inherits a talented squad coming off a 31-8 season. Westside must replace standouts such as Taylor Wall and Michael Goodnight, but the Wolves return a strong nucleus that could challenge Bellaire and Lamar for the District 20-5A crown.“We have some outstanding players coming back,” Arguello said, “but I feel very comfortable going into battle with this group.”Arguello is one of the area’s up-and-coming young coaches. Prior to his coaching stint at Lamar, he was the head baseball and football coach at Pin Oak Middle from 2001 to 2004.Before taking the Westside job, he spent a year as an assistant coach at the University of Houston, where he followed Jorge Garza, his former boss at Lamar. Arguello coached outfielders and catchers for the Cougars last season and served as the first base coach on game days, playing a key role in the team’s run to the Conference USA tournament title.Arguello said it was exciting working again with Houston coach Rayner Noble. Arguello played catcher for the Cougars under Noble, winning a conference title in 1997.“Coach Noble was a big influence on me,” said Arguello, who also counts Noble and The Woodlands’ Ron Eastman, who coached him at Lamar, as his mentors.Arguello is one of the youngest head coaches in the area. That holds true of his coaching staff at Westside.“We’re all in our late 20s and early 30s,” Arguello said. “Because we are so young, I think we can relate to the players and what they’re going through. As coaches, we’re able to make a connection with them.” Arguello’s staff includes Jayson Merren (infielders/outfielders), David Gonzales (junior varsity) and Shane Tuck (freshmen). Arguello also retained Chris Inman as the Wolves’ pitching coach.“I feel like we have the best coaching staff in the district,” Arguello said. “I really like the rapport we have. There’s a lot of energy and a passion for the game.”Arguello is counting the days until practice gets under way later this month. He thinks Westside will be formidable.“I can’t wait to get started,” Arguello said. “It’s a new chapter for me and for Westside baseball.”