John Shanahan named Breakers football coach

Laguna Beach High has a new varsity football head coach.

John Shanahan, who was the head coach of the freshman football team at JSerra, has been hired as varsity football head coach at Laguna, Breakers Athletic Director Ted Clarke said Wednesday.

Shanahan, 44, replaces Clarke who coached the Breakers for one season (2-8 overall) last fall. Clarke said he is stepping down from the head coaching position to concentrate fully on his AD duties.

Clarke was part of the head coaching search committee and is impressed with Shanahan.

“I think John is a dynamic individual,” he said. “He’s an experienced coach and I think he will bring some much-needed life and continuity to our program. The kids in this program have been through a lot in the past few years.”

Shanahan has coached the JSerra freshman football team for the past five years. His 2014 Lions won a championship in the powerful Trinity League, and three other teams finished second in league. In his five years, his teams turned in 10-0, 9-1, 9-1, 6-4 and 8-2 seasons.

He said the Laguna football position is his first as a varsity head coach.

“I’m really excited about this opportunity,” said Shanahan, a resident of Laguna Beach. “I probably would have not left JSerra for any other job. This is an unbelievable group of kids here at Laguna, a unique group of young men. They are very proud to be Laguna Beach kids and want to be successful.

“The challenge right now has been getting our numbers up in the program, and we’ve been working to do that. We’ve got 54 kids out right now. We’re going to be successful. There are some talented kids in this program who possess great athleticism and academic standards.”

Shanahan becomes the third varsity football coach at Laguna in three years. Clarke had replaced Corey Brown who resigned as varsity football head coach after the 2014 season to return to school.

“I have nothing but positive and strong feelings toward our kids and program, and I mean that from the bottom of my heart,” Clarke said. “The kids went through a lot and persevered. I think they are better for it, and so am I.

“[Principal] Chris Herzfeld has been very supportive of our program. He’s been just great and deftly handled a tough situation in the program with these coaching changes.”

Shanahan said spring football starts for the Breakers the first week of May.