Football

RICK CURTIS - HEAD FOOTBALL COACH, ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR,  AND S.A.L.T. COORDINATOR

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

Rick Curtis earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Cal State Fullerton and his teaching credential from the University of California, Irvine. Rick holds a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University and was an adjunct professor and academic advisor in the School of Professional Studies for thirteen years.

Rick began his coaching career at Servite High School and his teaching career in the Irvine Unified School District. While at Irvine High School, Rick was the athletic director and the defensive coordinator, helping lead the Vaqueros to three consecutive CIF SS championships.

Rick opened Northwood High School as its athletic director and head football coach. During his time with the Timberwolves, Coach Curtis received the NFL’s Coach of the Week award and was also a recipient of the CIF Southern Section’s Pursuing Victory with Honor award. Coach Curtis and his staff were named to coach the South team in the Orange County All-Star game, and he led his team to a 22 – 8 victory in the annual classic. Rick led his Northwood teams to the CIF quarterfinals (3 times), the CIF Semi-finals, and to the CIF finals. After Rick’s tenure at Northwood High School, he became the head football coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School, where his teams set 19 school records, returned to the CIF playoffs, and sent 15 scholarship players to the college ranks.

In 2016 Coach Curtis accepted the position of athletic director and head football coach of Capistrano Valley Christian. In 2018, the Eagles secured the first 11-man league championship in 18 years and Curtis was named the Academy League’s “Coach of the Year”. The Eagles returned to the playoffs in 2019, and Coach Curtis was again named “Coach of the Year”, this time for the San Joaquin League. During the last two years, the Eagles were 16 – 6, going 9 – 2 in 2018 and 7 – 4 in 2019.

Coach Curtis is especially proud of last year’s 2022 squad, one that finished 10-2 on the season, capturing the most wins in school history. The Saints advanced to the CIF quarterfinals after a thrilling 35-34 victory over Aliso Niguel in the first round. It was the school’s first CIF victory since 2015, and the first CIF victory since entering the large schools division.

Rick has helped secure scholarships for his players at major universities across the country. Coach Curtis’ players have played at Stanford, Oklahoma, USC, UCLA, Washington State, Navy, Michigan, Vanderbilt, Lehigh, New Hampshire, and most recently, Southern Utah, Boise State, and UC Davis. Coach Curtis has had several players play in the NFL, including the 2022 draftee, Grant Calcaterra, of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Rick and his late wife, Mary, who passed in October 2021 after a 5-year battle with cancer, are the proud parents of seven children (John, Steven, Bryan, Sean, Blake, Leslie, and Ashleigh) and seven grandchildren! Rick is a devout Christian and attends Shoreline Church in San Clemente.

russell oka - Varsity offensive coordinator

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7

Coach Russell Oka returns to Crean Lutheran with over ten years of coaching experience at the youth, high school, and collegiate level. His credentials include his alma mater Loyola High School, Palos Verdes Pop Warner, California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo, California Lutheran University, and JSerra Catholic High School. Coach Oka comes with a diverse coaching background, coaching defensive backs, wide receivers, and running backs. He has coached elite players, who received accolades such as All-League, All-CIF, and All-Orange County. Additionally, Coach Oka had a brief stint with Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll.

Most recently, Coach Oka served as the Head JV Coach / Offensive Coordinator and Varsity Running Backs Coach for JSerra Catholic High School. In addition to coaching, Oka was the Associate Athletic Director for Academics and Student Educational Resource Program Testing Center Supervisor Coach Oka is grateful to God for providing him with an opportunity to be coaching at a Christ-centered institution. He is honored to assist Coach Rick Curtis, a well-respected high school coach in Orange County. As a graduate of Loyola High School, he was part of the 2005 CIF Division 1 Championship team. Coach Oka received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Pitzer College, where he also played running back for the Sagehens. He continued his education at California Lutheran University, where he received his Master’s in Education Leadership. Currently, Coach Oka resides in Mission Viejo with his wife Kimi. Coach Oka and his wife welcomed baby Austin to the family last March.

john byszewski - VARSITY DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR

As iron sharpens iron one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

John Byszewski is in his 4th season at Crean Lutheran High School. Coach Byszewski attended and played football at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He also played on the 1992 National Championship Saddleback College football team and then went on to earn a football scholarship to Western State College in Colorado, where he played center for the Mountaineers. After college, John returned to Santa Margarita and began his coaching career that spanned more than 20 years with the Eagles. He began coaching freshman and eventually coached all levels and defensive positions, including acting as the Defensive and Special Teams Coordinator for the varsity team. Coach Byszewski also spent the last 10 seasons as the JV Head Coach at Santa Margarita.

John and his wife, Becky, have been married for 24 years and have 3 children. Their oldest, John, is in the US Air Force and is currently stationed in Missouri, Jane is a Junior at UNLV and Ben is a Junior at CLHS. The Byszewskis attend St.Kilian parish in Mission Viejo.

jerry holloway - VARSITY/ JV Offensive line 

And let us not grow weary of of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galations 6:9

Jerry Holloway is returning to Crean Lutheran High School as a varsity/JV offensive line coach. Jerry started his coaching career at Costa Mesa High School (3 years). He then spent the next 21 years coaching at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He coached at every level, and along the way served as Head Freshman and JV Coach for several years.

After serving in Public Safety for 20 years, Jerry taught Social Studies at Santa Margarita Catholic, ultimately transitioning to the Dean’s office serving as the Dean of Students.

Jerry has served on the Rancho Santa Margarita City Council since 2002. Jerry and his wife Ellen live in Trabuco Canyon. Their daughter Cortney lives in Mission Viejo. 

Jerry Is very excited to work with the players and coaches at Crean Lutheran.

tim holt - varsity/ jv offensive line

For we walk by faith not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7

Tim Holt began coaching in 1995, spending 15 years at the college level (Southern Connecticut State University, Lehigh University, Cornell University, American International College, Stonehill College, and Stetson University) and 8 years at the professional level (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders and Michigan Panthers). Coach Holt has been coaching at the high school level for 5 years (Santa Margarita Catholic HS) and joins the Crean Lutheran family as an Offensive Line Coach this season. Coach Holt is married to Bridget and has 4 daughters: Madailein, Cailin, Aislinn and Tegwyn.

dAVED BENEFIELD- VARSITY DEFENSIVE LINE 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

Daved Benefield had an accidentally storied career in football spanning both college and the Canadian Football League including a brief stint in the NFL. With over two decades of coaching experience across various levels in Canada and the USA, including stints with FBU and NIKE, Coach DB brings a wealth of knowledge to the Crean Lutheran Football program. Proud of his coaching lineage, he traces his mentoring roots back to esteemed figures like his junior college coach, who nurtured talents like Andy Reid. His impact extends to shaping players for success on and off the field, evident in his guidance of high school athletes to college and professional levels, including his son, Ty Benefield. Beyond football, he has made significant contributions as a writer for Time Magazine, columnist in newspapers, and broadcaster. Each summer, he hosts the Kitsfest Battle at the Beach Redzone tournament, fostering young quarterbacks' skills and confidence in front of crowds.

Billy Nealy - varsity/jv wide receievrs 

For God gave us a spirit not fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7

Coach Billy Nealy joined the Saints as our Wide Receiver coach prior to the 2022 season. Coach Nealy began his coaching career as the Girls Varsity Track Coach at Alta Loma, which led them to a league championship. He would go on to start his football coaching career for Los Angeles Baldwin Hills Pop Warner League, then on to Ontario High School. From there, Nealy continued his coaching career with the wide receivers at Capistrano Valley High School followed by several seasons at Tesoro High School, and subsequently joined OCC football staff as a wide receiver coach. From there, Coach Nealy went to San Juan Hills High School and was wide receiver coach and Head of Recruiting.

His passion for developing young talent most recently led him back to work with high school students as the Freshman Head Coach at Santa Margarita Catholic High School. Nealy’s passion for coaching led him to start “2 The House Training” nearly 20 years ago and still has the same drive to make young athletes perform at their very best. Twelve years ago, Coach Nealy teamed up with Billy Joe Hobert to form P2H Academy Training (which stands for Prodigy 2 the House) and its creed is, “Scholar, Leader, Athlete & Gentlemen” which they hold young men to on and off the field. Nealy played football and ran track at Alta Loma and Chaffey High School, where he was All-League and All-West Valley, in both sports for three years. After high school, Nealy went to Pasadena City College before transferring to Cal State Northridge. Nealy spent three years at Cal State Northridge to play football and further his education where he studied Kinesiology and was part of the 1991 Western Conference League Championship Team. After college, Coach Nealy had the privilege to be invited to free agent camp for the Seattle Seahawks. After a career-ending injury, Coach Nealy took his talents to the field in a new way.

wes gong - team chaplain

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58 

Wes Gong serves as the team chaplain for the football program at Crean Lutheran. Gong earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Theology from Concordia University Irvine where he was also involved in athletics in a variety of roles. Gong was a member of the inaugural men’s volleyball team at CUI in 2013 and also served in campus ministry specifically focused on serving with Athletes in Action and ministry to the athletic community. After graduation, Gong was a teacher and athletic director in Phoenix before following God’s call to Crean Lutheran. 

In addition to his role with the football team, Gong is also a Senior Theology Teacher and the Missions and Service Coordinator at Crean Lutheran. He enjoys leading mission trips and service projects for the students of Crean and helping students explore how God has called them to serve his Kingdom.

Gong and his wife Maddie enjoy living near family with their son Marvin, who can often be seen toddling around campus and at football games. The Gong family is also involved in leadership at Peace Lutheran Church in Tustin.

Ty benefield, class of 2023, boise state university

christian viola, class of 2023, UC Davis

jake ramirez, class of 2023, concordia university ann arbor