Every so often, laavengers.com columnist Marco Morales catches up with an Avenger player or coach in a Q&A that goes well beyond football.

In his first offseason installment, Morales gets to know new head coach Pat O'Hara.

MM: Besides any football related reasons, why are you glad to be back in the City of Angels?
PO: To tell you the truth, I really missed Campo’s avocado burritos. I can’t wait to get one of those.
MM: I’m guessing it’s hard to find a good burrito in Tampa.
PO: It was. But one thing I am going to miss from down there is the awesome oyster bars.


MM: Tell me something about Tim Marcum that might surprise me.
PO: He’s a huge historian.
MM: Of football?
PO: No, of everything. He’s a history teacher.
MM: Really?
PO: Yeah, his favorite station is the History Channel. He knows all that stuff.

MM: You’re a USC guy who found success in the AFL. Why haven’t we seen many more Trojans in this league?
PO: I’ve wondered about that before. I really think it’s because it’s an East-based sport, starting in Florida and all.
MM: Could your old Trojan teammate Rodney Peete have had the success you did in the AFL?
PO: Absolutely. Rodney would have been excellent.  He’s got a quick release and is a smart quarterback.  He would have been really good in this league.

MM: Knowing you worked with all of these guys on the set, who has a better arm: “The Rock,” Adam Sandler or Mark Wahlberg?
PO: Mark can wing it pretty well, but Adam has better technique.

MM: Now that you are back in L.A., will you be hanging out at Hollywood parties due to all your connections?  Can we expect to see you on TMZ soon?
PO: No, I can’t really say that’s my style. I’m a family man.

MM: Will we ever see an AFL team go 16-0?
PO: No way.
MM: But that’s what everyone said about the outdoor game.
PO: It’s way harder in our game.
MM: Why is that?
PO: Because of those bars that hold up the net. You can’t control them.

MM: Who was your favorite team growing up?
PO: The Rams. I still have an autographed Pat Haden picture that I got when I was a kid.

MM: You played with the Toronto Phantoms during its two-year run, why didn’t the AFL last in Canada?
PO: It’s tough to compete with hockey up there.

MM: But the CFL has hung around.
PO: Yeah, but there’s a difference since we didn’t have any Canadian players on our rosters.

MM: What CDs are in your car right now?
PO: Tool, Nine Inch Nails and Alice in Chains.

MM: Can you do for the Avengers what Pete Carroll has done for USC?
PO: Oh wow … I hope so.
MM: Have you talked to him yet?
PO: No, I haven’t met him, but now that I’m back in L.A., I am looking forward to catching up with him to learn some things.

MM: So what’s the best sports movie of all time?
PO: “Invincible.”
MM: If they made a football movie about Pat O’Hara, who would play you?
PO: I don’t know.  But I would definitely want someone better looking than me, like maybe Matthew Fox.

MM: Fill in the blank … the only thing in the AFL that bothers me is …
PO: That there is no instant replay.
MM: So, you think it should come back for the regular season.
PO: Yes, it’s a necessity.

MM: Any pet peeves?
PO: Negative people.

MM: What do you have in your pockets right now?
PO: Ten dollars and some credit cards.
MM: That’s not how Hollywood professionals roll.
PO: But, it’s how Hollywood football coaches do.