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-BID 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 graduated from Westlake and are attending Arizona State University and UC San Diego, respectively.
After completing his 18th year as head coach of Westlake High School's Football Program, Coach Benkert continues the warriors tradition as one of the elite programs in California. Since taking over Westlake's helm in 1989, Coach Benkert has compiled an overall 149-53-5 record. Advancing to the CIF Playoffs 14 times. After two trips to the CIF-SS semi-finals in '95 and '96, the Warriors advanced to the title game in 1999, 2002, and 2003; winning Championships in 1999 and 2003. The '99 season ended with a 13-1 overall record (6-0 Marmonte League, 1st), the CIF Southern Section and State Division II Championship and overall #9 state ranking. His 2003 team, finished #3 in the overall state rankings, won the CIF Division IV Championship, finished first in the powerful Marmonte League (7-0), captured their second State Division II Championship and went undefeated (14-0) for the first time in school history. Last year, Westlake knocked off the #1 team in the CIF Northern Division (Moorpark) enroute to an undefeated Marmonte League Championship (7-0) and trip to the CIF Semi-finals where their only loss was to State Division 1 Champion, Canyon. Coach Benkert has established a reputation as one of the states top offensive coaches, especially where the passing game is concerned. The Warriors are constantly ranked among the top five San Fernando Valley/Ventura County teams, and are usually in the top 25 rankings for the state. Last year was no exception as they finished #19 in the state.
Richard Fong - Defensive Coordinator
Coach Fong was again promoted to Defensive Coordinator after serving as Varsity Offensive Line Coach last year. 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 1983 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 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 Culpepper begins his second stint of coaching at Westlake. He served as the head sophomore coach in '89 and '90 before being evaluated 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 Veiwpoint 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.
Ken Popatta - Inside Linebackers
Coach Popatta begins his first year with the Warriors after coaching inside linebackers and special teams at Thousand Oaks High School for the last 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 takes over the inside linebackers with high expectations and proven results. He prepped at Simi Valley High School and lives in Thousand Oaks with his wife, Lilanya and children Candice snf Karson. He teaches English and Financial Management at Calabasas High School and works as a Realtor with ReMax Olsen and Associates in Westlake.
Darryl Smith - Quarterback Coach
Westlake’s success with Quarterbacks has much to do with Coach Smith. With a reputation as one of the area’s top Quarterback coaches, Coach Smith was drafted by Coach Benkert to join the Warrior staff in 1989. He brings more than 40 years of coaching experience to the Westlake program. A standout wide receiver at Eastern Kentucky State, Coach Smith was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers and coached youth football for many years. Coach Smith and his wife, Christina, live in Thousand Oaks. Their son Cody, was an All-American quarterback at Mt. SAC Community College. Sons, Danny, Kent and Greg were also standout athletes in high school and college.
Dr. Ron Rescigno, ED.D DHL - Tight Ends Coach
Coach Rescigno begins his ninth 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.
Steve Hagy - Running Backs
Coach Hagy has served on the Warrior staff for the last five years, the last three as Sophomore head coach. 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. His son, Steve is a junior in the Warrior program. He lives in Westlake with his wife Aileen and children, Jessica, Steve and John.
Ellis Green - Defensive Backs
Coach Green comes to the Westlake after two years as the Hueneme High School Defensive Coordinator. He played high school football at Moorpark High School where he was an outstanding All Tri-Valley League two-sport athlete.He spent two 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 coached track and field this year for the Warriors.
Carl Brewer - Offensive Line
Coach Brewer begins is first year with the Warriors after coaching the offensive line for Buena and Hueneme High Schools the last 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.
Eric Shackleford - Wide Receivers, Scout Team
Coach Shackelford begins his seventh year as the Warrior wide receivers coach. He prepped at Culver City High School where he played quarterback and defensive back. He was a four 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.
Greg Levine - Outside Linebackers
Coach Levine begins his second year with the Warriors. Last year, he was an assisstant coach on the sophomore level and worked primarily with the offense. He moves to the other side of the ball this year and will coach the outside linebackers. Coach Levine has coached at Hueneme High School and Calabasas High School. He holds a B.S. degree from the State University, Northridge and prepped at Calabasas High School.
Coach Compton - Defensive Line
Coach Compton is entering his fifth year of coaching at Westlake and his twentieth year of coaching overall. Coach Compton was born in New York City and moved to California when he was 2 years old. He grew up in Palos Verdes California where he attended Rolling Hills High School (now Peninsula High School). While at Rolling Hills he lettered 2 years in football and 4 years in wrestling, playing center on the football team, and wrestling 185, 200, and HWT. After high school Coach Compton transferred and completed his college education at the Ohio State University in Columbus Ohio, where he received a BS in Education. Coach Compton is not married and has no children; he is however, the proud uncle of five nieces and one nephew, ages 4 to 17. He has 2 brothers and 3 sisters, and a Mother and Father who attend all Westlake home games and most away games.