FOOTBALL UPDATES: Crean Lutheran and Orange name new assistant coaches

Head football coaches at Crean Lutheran and Orange have announced the additions of new assistant coaches.

New Crean Lutheran coach Rick Curtis said that Russell Oka has been named the new offensive coordinator.

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“He is excited to join Crean Lutheran with 10 years of coaching experience at the youth, high school and collegiate level,” Curtis said. “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.”

Oka played football at Loyola High where he was part of the 2005 CIF Division 1 championship team.

Curtis said that Coach Justin Danh is joining Crean Lutheran as the defensive coordinator.

“Teaching is his passion, whether it’s the game of football or algebra,” Curtis said. “Prior to joining Crean Lutheran, Coach Danh coached at his alma mater, Cal Poly SLO, and coached and taught at JSerra Catholic High School. He is so excited and grateful to be joining Crean Lutheran and can’t wait to see what God has in store for the Saints.”

ORANGE NAMES NEW OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR

Jude Oliva has been named the new offensive coordinator at Orange High, according to head coach Robert Pedroza.

“We are very excited about our new offensive coordinator,” said Coach Robert Pedroza.

Oliva was the head coach at San Gabriel High for four seasons, where the team was a two-time CIF finalist. He was also the offensive coordinator at San Gabriel for 10 seasons.

In 2011 he was the Pasadena Star News coach of the year. He was also the head coach and offensive coordinator at Maranatha High and the 2013 Olympic League coach of the year.

He was also the assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at Buena Park High on the team that was 2016 Freeway League champion.

Oliva has helped over 30 athletes get scholarships to Division 1 and NAIA schools, Pedroza said.

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