Rick James starred at inside linebacker and was also an offensive guard, but for cross-town rival East Union and legendary coach “Gentleman” Jim Brown.

Both 1986 grads of their respective schools, Eavenson and James did not know each other well at the time.

“I’m sure we banged heads more than 10 times,” Eavenson said. “We knew of each other. He was one of their dudes. It’s hard not to know who he was.”

That mutual respect as combatants has transformed into a brotherly bond over the years — no, decades. Tonight marks their 20th season opener together as assistant coaches at Manteca, which faces Downey at Guss Schmiedt Field.

They’re key figures on six of the school’s seven Sac-Joaquin Section football championships. James has earned the reputation as one of the best high school defensive coordinators in the region, while Eavenson has mentored an offensive line that consistently produces technically sound, disciplined and scrappy blockers no matter their size.

Both joined Eric Reis in 2002 when he began his dynastic run as Buffaloes head coach. He stepped down after the 2017 season and is the school’s winningest coach with a 150-42-2 record, 14 postseason appearances in 16 years and five SJS championships. Manteca has since won another in 2019 under current coach Mark Varnum.

“Our school is so blessed to have both of them,” Reis said. He is now defensive coordinator for the JV team and remains on campus as physical education teacher.

“When you look at Manteca High football it’s all about the offensive line and defense, and both guys are a huge part of that. … Both are just tireless workers. They both put so much time in and the kids realize it and go, ‘I should put in the time, too.’ It’s reciprocal.”

Eavenson’s coaching journey started with a pact he made with Reis during a road trip back home to Manteca from Cal Poly, where they were teammates in 1990 and, for a short time, housemates. They spoke of life after college, with Reis expressing his desire to come back home and lead their alma mater’s football team. He, or course, insisted that Eavenson coach the offensive line.

“Sure enough, he called me in 2002 and said, ‘Hey, I got the coaching job. Wanna help?” Eavenson said. “He held up his end of the deal, so I figured I’d end up doing the same.”

He did not anticipate coaching for this long. What still drives him is that he simply enjoys coaching and passing on the same virtues taught to him by past Manteca coaches. Eavenson remains invigorated by the tactical side of football and helping athletes achieve things beyond their physical capabilities.

Above all, he’s a Buffalo through and through. His wife Michelle is also an MHS alum, and their three kids — Joe (2014), Matt (2016) and Julianne (2018) — are fourth-generation Buffs. Joe and Matt were part of the 2013 Section championship team, and Julianne helped the girls tennis team win its first-ever SJS crown in 2016.

“We have a lot of rings in the house, which is cool,” Eavenson said.

James, who played baseball and football at Delta College, has been coaching for much longer. He started soon after graduating East Union, jumping on board the Delta Rebels youth football staff where he spent a total of six years. James moved onto the Manteca Chargers and won four Delta Youth Football League titles in seven years.

It was in the late 90s when James got acquainted with Reis during their time as assistants under Greg Leland at Sierra High. James, now a retired probation officer, had to step away from coaching at the high school level for two years because of work obligations.

As luck would have it, James’ work schedule was more flexible in 2002 when a starry-eyed rookie head coach reached out.

It was Reis.

“He said I was the first person he called,” James said. “And he needed a defensive coordinator.”

The rest is history.

James is proud to be part of a program already steeped in tradition.  In fact, he started a tradition of his own, treating the entire team to a feast for each shutout that his defense delivers.

“I can’t remember when it started,” James said. “I don’t even remember not doing it. In high school, it’s not easy to get shutouts, it’s just something as a defense you strive to get. In today’s game, everyone is in love with offense and scoring points so it’s harder to get guys to truly focus on playing defense. (The team meal) is just one of those carrots. I’m blessed to have a wife who doesn’t mind kicking in and pay for some of that.”

Both James and Eavenson will continue coaching as long as they’re able.  On top of the joy they get in leading young men, there’s the social aspect that keeps bringing them back. The coaching staff, which includes many of their former players, is so closely knit that it plans vacation trips with the spouses.

“It has been a long grind, but the grind is still fun for me,” James said.

Music to Varnum’s ears. He is especially glad that the staff has largely remained intact since taking the reins from Reis.

“I wouldn’t have done it without those two,” Varnum said. “They are literally my right- and left-hand men. The first phone calls I made when I thought about doing it was those two guys.”

Eavenson, a civil engineer for MCR Engineering, said he won’t coach for any other team at any level. He develops lasting relationships with his athletes, some of whom he has employed.

“I like my regular job, but I love coaching football,” he said. “As long as I can physically do it and still make a difference, I’ll keep doing it — hopefully for 10 years or more.

“I’m not going to coach anywhere else, I’m a Manteca guy. When I’m done coaching at Manteca, I’m done coaching.”