Paysinger Tackles New Job as Head Coach at Beverly Hills

This spring was a particularly tough time for the Beverly Hills High football program. Memories remained from the bitter teachers’ strike in the fall, which resulted in the forfeiture of three games, the resignations of longtime Co-Coaches Dick Billingsley and Bill Stansbury to accept jobs at other schools and the cancellation of spring drills.

“All anyone could talk about was transferring out of here,” junior Ziv Gottlieb said. “I was looking into the possibility of either transferring to Crespi or Loyola. I figured this program was going nowhere. We didn’t even have a coach.”

The traditionally powerful Normans seemed like a team on the decline. But morale took an about-face in mid-June when Principal Ben Bushman promoted veteran assistant Carter Paysinger to head coach. The selection was overwhelmingly popular with the players.

“Naming Carter as head coach was a dream that I thought would never come true,” said Gottlieb, who will start at quarterback this season. “I can’t think of anyone who would have been better. When we heard the news about Carter, everybody in school was doing high-fives. He’s always been a players’ coach and that’s why we all like him.”

Bushman’s decision appears to have been a wise one. No one ended up transferring and more players are expected to go out for the team this fall than did last season.

Paysinger’s appointment is unprecedented because he is the first alumnus and part-time faculty member to coach football at Beverly Hills. He also is the first black to head the football program.

“So far, it hasn’t been a racial problem and frankly, I don’t anticipate it to be one,” Paysinger said. “People here know me and know what I’m about.”

Paysinger has been an assistant at Beverly Hills since 1980, but there are several obstacles he must overcome.

Tensions remain from the teachers’ strike and the subsequent failure of Proposition B, which would have raised $4.5 million for the Beverly Hills Unified School District.

Stansbury and Billingsley walked the picket line last fall, leaving the team without any coaches for three Bay League games. The Normans had to forfeit those games and ended the season at 3-7, failing to qualify for the playoffs. A few months later, Billingsley was informed by the district that budget cuts likely would result in the elimination of his teaching and coaching position. He accepted a job at Oak Park High. Fearing further cutbacks, Stansbury also jumped ship and took a job at Paso Robles High.

Paysinger, who played football and baseball at Beverly Hills from 1971-74, has taught physical education at the school since 1985, but he was on a leave on absence last year to devote more time to his financial brokerage business. He remained a football assistant, coaching the quarterbacks and receivers and helping put together the offensive game plan.

When Bushman called in June and offered Paysinger the job, he needed only a few hours to make his decision.

“I had been an assistant so long, that I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to finally be in charge,” said Paysinger, who will teach two classes at Beverly Hills this fall and continue his job as a broker part time. “Despite my busy schedule with my business, I am making time for this because I want to see how I do when I’m calling the shots. I guess when you’re an assistant for so many years, you always wonder how you’ll do when you become the head coach. It’s time to find out.

“As far as I’m concerned, though, the strike business is over and it’s time for a clean slate. I think that whole thing is finally behind us now.”

Putting together a coaching staff was Paysinger’s first task. Within days of his promotion, his staff was intact. He rehired his brothers, Vonzie and Donald Paysinger, as assistants. Vonzie, an assistant at Beverly Hills since 1983, will be the offensive coordinator, and Donald, an assistant since ‘82, will be the offensive line coach. He also hired Brian Cook, a former defensive back at Carson High who went on to play at USC. Cook will be in charge of the defensive backs.

“There was a time when I wasn’t sure if I would return,” Vonzie said. “It all depended on who was going to be the head coach. If the school would have hired a new guy from the outside, I wasn’t too excited about starting the program all over again.

“Of course, I wanted my brother to get his chance. When they selected Carter, I knew I would be back. I’m excited about this year, and also my increased duties. I was ready for a bigger role.”

Stansbury praised his successor.

“Carter is very bright, personable, has excellent rapport with the athletes and is a very knowledgeable football person,” Stansbury said. “Hiring him was the best thing for the program because there will be continuity.”

Despite missing spring drills, the Normans have been back to a normal schedule since Paysinger took over. Most of the returning players currently are enrolled in a six-week physical education class at the school, which is taught by Paysinger. Players spend two hours each morning on the practice field running through plays and discussing strategies.

Paysinger appears comfortable in his new role and said few changes are planned.

“We will continue running a pro-style offense,” he said. “The only change on defense is that we will platoon. We will be more aggressive on defense and force the action instead of waiting for it to come to us. But all of the terminology will be the same.”

Paysinger, 34, said the biggest difference his players will notice this season is that they will be able to have open discussions with the coaching staff. Although he said Stansbury and Billingsley had a good rapport with the team, he said he is more low-key and less of a disciplinarian.

“I’m not much of a yeller,” he said. “I just talk to the kids on a relaxed level, and I want them to feel like they can do the same with me. All of coaches are like that, so I think it will be a very positive atmosphere.”

Paysinger isn’t ready to make any predictions on his team’s chances this season, but like most coaches, he is optimistic. The Normans return five starters on offense and four on defense. Seniors Darren Smith (wide receiver) and Greg Holmes (running back) are considered college prospects.

“All you can do is give your players the best opportunity to perform,” Paysinger said. “What happens on the field is up to the players. At this point, I’m not nervous about wins and losses.

“But give me a little time.”