Coaches

Since 1979, John Barnes has coached the Griffins to 271 wins, 15 league championships, and four ClF championships, a record equaled by few of his peers. His overall record 273-86-8 gives him the most wins of any coach in Orange County history. In 2002, he was honored as the West Region Coach of the year, and the All-American Football Foundation Coach of the Year. He earned California State Coach of the Year honors in 1993 and was named Orange County Coach of the Year in 1988, 1994, and 1999. Barnes graduated from St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, earning acclaim as a triple threat quarterback, punter and playkicker for the Saints. He went onto captain the University of Nevada-Reno Wolfpack. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Anita, for 40 years and they have three children, Karyn, Brian, and Jimmy.

Jerry begins his 24th season with Los Al and his 39th season of overall coaching football. As the running back coach for twelve seasons, and previously as the defensive line and linebackers coach. During his tenure, he has produced twenty-one All-League and six All-Orange County players. He has coached in five all-star games. Jerry has been married to his wife Elsa, a school teacher, for 39 years. Both Jerry and Elsa serve as Eucharistic Ministers at St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Fullerton. Jerry and Elsa have two children, Liza and Michael

Mark begins his eleventh year on the Griffin staff and his 39th year of coaching high school football. He graduated from Marina High in 1971 and then attended Golden West College before receiving his Bachelors Degree in English/Speech Communications from California State University Long Beach. Coach Rehling has taught English for 26 years. Mark and his wife of 29 years, Joanne, have two sons, Gregory and Garet.

Coach Snyder begins his third year as a Los Al Varsity coach, taking over this year as the tight end coach after helping with the offensive line in his first year. Coach Snyder is also in his first year as the JV head coach, while coaching both the offensive line and the tight ends on the junior varsity. Coach Snyder is no stranger to the program, having played for the Griffins from 2003 - 2006. Coach Snyder is a lifelong resident of Los Alamitos, and is currently pursuing a College degree in Education, with plans to teach History.

Jeff begins his first year as a varsity football coach after coaching the past two years on the freshman level. A Los Al alum (Class of 2003), Jeff was Sunset League MVP in 2002 and earned CIF Offensive Player of the Year and All-State honors as well while quarterbacking the Griffins to a CIF Division I championship. He went on to play in Junior College for two years. Jeff also coaches varsity baseball at Carson High School and is currently finishing his degree in History and plans to become a high school teacher.

Coach Bowers is the newest Griffin coach. He graduated from Esperanza where he was an all Sunset League center. He followed that by being an all-Mission Conference center at Fullerton College, then received a football scholarship to Tarleton State University in Texas. He returned to the area and spent the past five seasons coaching at El Dorado High School, helping the Golden Hawks win four Century League titles and back-to-back CIF titles in 2006 and 2007. Gary and his wife, Katie, were married in May 2009.

Jim begins his 31st season with the Griffins and his 38th year as a teacher-coach. During the past 16 seasons, twelve of his defensive backs have earned all-CIF honors. Graduating from Cal State Northridge in 1971 with a degree in Physical Education and a Masters Degree from USF, Jim started coaching at Monroe High School, helping the team to their only L.A. City Championship. Jim and his wife of 38 years, Trish, have two children, Karen and Kevin.

Barry begins his 27th season for the Griffins, his fifteenth as the defensive coordinator. Coach Sher is a 1974 Los Al graduate and had earned his B.A. degree from Cal State Long Beach in 1979. He returned to Los Al and in 1984 started his Griffin football coaching career. When not coaching the Griffins, Coach Sher manages his successful insurance business in the Los Alamitos community, which he has served for over 24 years. Barry lives in Cypress with his wife Tina, and his ten year old son, Harry.

Steve begins his 17th season with Los Al. Raised locally, Steve was an all CIF and All-American receiver at St. John Bosco High School and played in the 1974 CIF Championship against South Hills. His work earned him a scholarship to Fresno State. Steve began coaching as a grad assistant at Fresno State University, then as an assistant atFresno High School. In 1982, he returned to teach at his alma mater. Steve has been married to his wife, Judy, for 24 years. They have three children.

A member of the 2002 CIF Championship squad, Don joins the Griffins staff this season as the linebacker coach. At Los Al, Don earned All-League honors in football and baseball. After graduating, he attended Hancock College, where he played baseball and earned scholar-athlete honors, then attended USC, where he graduated with a degree in Education. Don is currently working as a substitute teacher.