Football: Jim Benkert is having discussions with Oaks Christian
Longtime Westlake football Coach Jim Benkert has been having discussions with Oaks Christian about joining the staff but no final decision has been made, according to sports officials in Ventura County and the San Fernando Valley.
Oaks Christian Coach Bill Redell declined comment but he said he will be returning as coach. Benkert is out of town and could not be reached for comment.
Redell and Benkert have coached together in the past and are good friends. Benkert was Redell’s offensive coordinator at Crespi in the 1980s. Redell has said he’d love Benkert to join his staff at Oaks Christian.
If Benkert left for neighborhood rival Oaks Christian, he would be tough to replace at Westlake, where he has been head coach since 1989.
Get our high school sports newsletter
Prep Rally is devoted to the SoCal high school sports experience, bringing you scores, stories and a behind-the-scenes look at what makes prep sports so popular.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
