Vote now: Who should be SBLive’s California High School Football Coach of the Week (9/16/2023)?
Here are the candidates for SBLive’s California High School Coach of the Week for Sep. 14-16 as nominated by fans, readers and SBLive’s staff. Read through the nominees and cast your vote below. Voting will conclude on Monday, Sept. 25 at 11:59 p.m and the winner will be announced on Tuesday. If you would like to nominate a coach in future weeks, please email Lance@scorebooklive.com or tag us on Twitter or Instagram at @SBLiveCA.
Nehemiah Brunson, Army-Navy: For the second straight year, Army-Navy opened the season 4-0 following a 55-0 thrashing of Francis Parker to open Coastal League play. Brunson's Warriors have not allowed a single point in 2023, thanks in large part to a remarkable start by 3-star defensive lineman Ratumana Bulabalavu. In four games, he's totaled 31 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 12.5 sacks.
Mike Jacot, Clovis North: Jacot was nominated for the second straight following another monumental win for Clovis North, a 23-7 upset of Trinity League powerhouse JSerra. Andrew Chavez led the way with two interceptions for the Broncos' defense, which kept JSerra off the board until the final couple minutes of the game.
Adrian Beltran, Panorama: In the last two seasons, Beltran has led the Pythons to the CIFLACS finals twice and been named the Los Angeles Rams High School Coach of the Year (2021). But one thing Panorama had never done under the 11-year head coach was start 5-0, until 2023. Panorama moved to 5-0 and opened Valley Mission League play with a 57-28 win last week against Sylmar.
Aaron Becker, San Ramon Valley: After starting 5-0 in 2022, San Ramon Valley picked up its first loss of the season with a 45-42 loss to McClymonds. This year, the Wolves got revenge decisively against McClymonds to stay unbeaten, moving to 4-0 with a 35-7 victory.
Jon Nielsen, Jordan (Long Beach): As far as 4-0 starts go, Nielsen is two for two in his tenure as Jordan's head coach. The Panthers wrapped up non-league play 4-0 with a 28-18 win over La Mirada, thanks in large part to a wildly productive outing from Nielsen's son, Jarret, the quarterback. Nielsen threw for 320 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for 261 yards and two more scores on just 18 carries.
Bo Beatty, Bonita: After last week's 28-14 win over Los Osos, the Bearcats are 5-0 for the first time in Beatty's two seasons as co-head coach with Steve Bogan. Beatty is also the defensive coordinator.
Charlie Ramirez, Pittsburg: Ramirez picked up a nomination for the second time this year as the Pirates are still undefeated (4-0) in his tenure as head coach. Down 14-3 at halftime, Pittsburg used a 28-point third quarter to avoid an upset at the hands of California (San Ramon).
John Perez, Paraclete: Following a 1-9 season, Perez's Spirits have bounced back to start the season 5-0 for the first time in his three years as head coach. Last week, Paraclete rolled to a 40-13 win over North (Torrance), led by 331 yards and three touchdowns passing from Jacob Soles and a seven-TFL explosion from linebacker Deshaun Malone.
Charles Burnley, San Fernando: With a 40-0 thrashing of Canoga Park, the Tigers have started 5-0 following a 2-9 record in Burnley's first year at the helm. Four players recorded an interception for San Fernando.
Al Brown, Eisenhower: Eisenhower defeated Elsinore 14-9 last week to begin the season 5-0 for the second season in a row and third time since Brown was hired in 2016. Dashaun Benton scored both the Eagles touchdowns, a 94-yard kick return touchdown and a touchdown pass from Sean McCoy Jr.
Coley Candaele, Vista Murrieta: So far in Candaele's return to Vista Murrieta, the Broncos are yet to beaten. They're 4-0 following last week's 30-13 victory over Temecula Valley, in which Alexander Vega ran for 110 yards and two TDs.
Jeff Steinberg, Beaumont: Beaumont started 5-0 for the second season in a row and third time in Steinberg's six seasons with a 44-14 rout of Murrieta Mesa. Christopher Cooper completed 20 of 27 passes for 396 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for a touchdown as well for the Cougars.
Justin Price, Yucaipa: The Thunderbirds are 5-0 for the fourth time in Price's 14 seasons at the helm after a 20-12 victory over Palm Springs. Yucaipa kicks off league play on Sept. 29 over Beaumont, following a bye week for both teams, setting up a high-stakes clash between unbeaten teams.
