THE VARSITY COACHES:

Jim Benkert – Head Coach

Coach Benkert, a native Southern Californian, prepped at El Camino Real High School in Woodland Hills. An outstanding athlete in football and track, he graduated in 1976, played football at Pierce College and attended California State University, Northridge. Graduating from CSUN with a degree in Physical Education, he went on to begin his coaching career at Crespi High School winning the CIF-BIG 5 championship in 1986, as the varsity offensive coordinator. He earned his Masters Degree in Education from Grand Canyon University and he and his wife, Joi live in Westlake Village and have four children, Jessi, Chrystal, Katie and Aaron. Katie and Aaron both attended Westlake High School and are attending Arizona State University and University of California at San Diego, respectively.

Richard Fong – Defensive Coordinator

Coach Fong was promoted to Defensive Coordinator in 2009 for a 2nd stint after serving as Varsity Offensive Line Coach the year before. He previously served as Defensive Coordinator for the Warriors in 1990. He prepped at Hollywood High School where he was a two-way varsity starter. He began his coaching career in 1979 at Chaminade, then in 1983 he coached at Crespi High School on the same staff as Coach Benkert. He left the Warriors in 1991 to become the head football coach at St. Genevieve High School where he received the L.A. Times “Coach of the Year” Award in 1993. Coach Fong returned to Crespi from 1997-01 as Athletic Director and Varsity Football Defensive Coordinator. He then took the head job at L.A. Baptist High School in 2002. In 2003, he led L.A.B. to the CIF Title game. He returned to Westlake as a full time member of the Physical Education staff in 2004 and lives in Woodland Hills with his wife, Carolyn. He has a reputation as an outstanding coach and coordinator.

Bill Culpepper – Defensive Line, Special Teams Coach

Coach Culpepper continues his third stint of coaching at Westlake. He served as the head sophomore coach in ’89 and ’90 before being elevated to the Varsity Defensive Coordinator position in 1991. He prepped at Jenks High School in El Paso, Texas where he was an All-Area Selection at linebacker. He became an All-Conference player at Mesa College in Arizona and went on to play linebacker at California Lutheran University. He has been the head football coach at Viewpoint High School, Clint High School in El Paso Texas, and Chaminade High School in West Hills. Coach Culpepper returned to Westlake in 2004 and teaches Social Science. He lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife Terri and daughters Faith and Bailey.

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Ken Popatta – Inside Linebackers Coach

Coach Papotta begins his third year with the Warriors after coaching inside linebackers and special teams coordinator at Thousand Oaks High School for the previous three years. He has served as the head football coach at Calabasas High School, Defensive Coordinator at Simi Valley High School and Varsity Assistant in 1997 at CIF Champion, Moorpark High School. He took over the inside linebackers with high expectations and continues his legacy of proven results. He prepped at Simi Valley High School and lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife, Lilanya and children Candice and Karson. He teaches English and Financial Management at Calabasas High School and works as a Realtor with ReMax Olsen & Associates in Westlake.

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Andy Flores – Offensive Line Coach

Coach Flores enters his seventh year with the Warriors and his second on the Varsity staff. He prepped at Garfield High School where he was a three year starter and two time All-City selection on the offensive line. He was selected captain of the 605 All-Star Game and went on to start at Mt. SAC college for two years. He holds the bench press record at Mt SAC of 420# and was selected to the All JC Strength Team. He lives in Westlake with his wife Marlene and son, Jonathan who played football with the Warriors.

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Kamran Salem - Defensive Backs Coach

Coach Salem is entering his sixth year with the Warriors, one year on the Freshman staff, two as the Sophomore Head Coach and the last two as Varsity Defensive Backs Coach. Coach Salem also served as Varsity Linebacker Coach in 2005. He is one of six coaches on the staff that played for Coach Benkert at Westlake High School. He was selected 1^st Team All-Marmonte League and is currently #11 on the single season tackle list with 108 tackles. He earned his Psychology degree from Long Beach State University and his Masters Degree from Cal Lutheran University. He currently teaches in the WHS Math department.

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Curt Rothschiller - Quarterback Coach

Coach Rothschiller returned to the Warriors last year after serving as Varsity Defensive Backs Coach from 1989-1995. He prepped at Chaminade High School where he received All-Valley recognition and participated in the San Fernando Valley All-Star Classic. He and his wife Debbie have three children, Jake and Kyle are sophomore football players at Westlake and Brooke is a 7^th grader who served as water girl.

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Dr. Ron Rescigno, ED.D DHL – Tight Ends Coach

Coach Rescigno begins his twelvth year with the Warriors. A former New York high school head coach in the ‘60’s, Coach Rescigno brings experience and enthusiasm to the staff. Coach Rescigno has worked with the running backs, offensive line and tight ends during his years with the Warriors. He came to Westlake after three years coaching the offensive line at Mater Dei High School. He retired as the Superintendent of the Hueneme Elementary School District a few years ago and now is enjoying semi-retirement with his wife Val. They live in Westlake Village and have two grandchildren.

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Steve Hagy – Running Backs Coach

Coach Hagy has served on the Warrior staff for the last six years, from 05-07 he served as Sophomore head coach. In 2007 he promoted to Varsity Running backs. He played high school football at Agoura High School where he received All-Area recognition as a running back. He graduated from U.S.C. where he played on the baseball team. He has had two sons in the Westlake Warrior Program, Steve, now an Alumni and John who is now on the Varsity team. He lives in Westlake with his wife Aileen and children, Jessica, Steve and John.

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Ellis Green – Running Backs Coach

Coach Green enters his fourth year with the Warriors as the running backs coach after coaching the secondary for the past two years.

Coach Green came to Westlake after two years as the Hueneme High School Asst Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator. He has also worked as the linebacker coach at Camarillo High School and Secondary/ Running Backs Coach at Pacifica High School.

He played high school football at Moorpark High School where he was an outstanding All Tri-Valley League two-sport athlete. He spent four years coaching the defensive backs at both Camarillo and Pacific High Schools. Coach Green lives in Moorpark and is attending CLU to attain his teaching credentials. He also has coached track and field for the Warriors.

Carl Brewer – Offensive Line Coach

Coach Brewer begins his fourth year with the Warriors after coaching the offensive line for Buena and Hueneme High Schools four years. He played high school football at Hueneme High School where he was an All-Area offensive lineman selection. He has continued his playing career participating in the Ventura County Police and Sheriff Pride Bowl each year. He is employed by the Ventura County Probation Department and lives in Oxnard with his wife, Griselda and son Kayden and Kody.

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Eric Shackleford – Wide Receivers, Scout Team Coach

Coach Shackelford begins his eighth year as the Warrior wide receivers coach. He prepped at Culver City High School where he played quarterback and defensive back. He was a two year letterman at the University of Akron where he played defensive back. Coach Shackelford came to Westlake from Notre Dame High School where he coached varsity and JV football.
He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from San Diego State University and is a teacher in the WHS Math department. He lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife Monica, son Cory and daughter Nia.

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Greg Levine – Outside Linebackers, Kickers Coach

Coach Levine’s begins his 4th year at Westlake, the last three as a varsity assistant. In his first year, he was an assistant coach on the sophomore level and worked primarily with the offense.

He played high school football at Calabasas High School and graduated from CSUN with a BA in Kinesiology. Last year he assisted the Varsity team at Westlake. He came to Westlake after serving as head sophmore coach and varsity running back coach at Hueneme High School.

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