Born: January 31, 1958 in Inglewood, California
CSUN-B.A. 1982
California Lutheran-1990
Grand Canyon Univ.-M.A.-2000
COACHING ACHIEVEMENT:
Coach Benkert began his coaching career at Crespi High School as an assistant in football and track and field, becoming Head Sophmore coach and offensive coordinator in football and head coach in track and field.
In 1989 he became the Head Football coach at Westlake High School and in 1992 he became the Head Track Coach at Westlake High School, where he also coached the girl’s Freshman squad and Freshman baseball team.
Since he became head coach in 1989, his football teams have won six Marmonte League Championships, and gone to the CIF playoff 14 times. Five times they have been CIF quarter-finalist, four times semi-finalists, were a finalist in 2002 and won the CIF SS Championship in 1999 and 2003.
Also, in 1999 and 2003 the Westlake football team were CIF State DIV Il champions.
In 1999, 1998, 1997 his teams won the CIF Scholastic Team Award- Highest Team GPA in CIF-SS
Ranks No. 12 on the all-time state career wins list with a record of 302-114-5. Six CIF section titles (1999, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2017 (Oaks Christian), 2023 (Simi Valley)
His teams have made 30 postseason appearances. Reached the quarterfinals 12 times, semifinals 11 times, eight finals and six section championships.
COACHING HONORS:
2006: Head Coach, Public School Shrine All-Star Classic; Asst. Coach (West) Army, Marmonte League Football Coach of the Year
National High School All-American All-Star Classic, Ventura County Large Schools Football Coach of the Year
2005: National Football “Coach of the Year” Finalist; Head Coach Public School Shrine All-Star Classic
2004: California Coaches’ Association “State Football Coach of the Year”; Offensive Coordinator Cali/Florida All-Star Football game.
2003: Offensive Coordinator Cali/Florida All-Star Football game; L.A. Times Regional Football Coach of the Year; CIF-SS Football Coach of the Year; Head Coach, CIF Div. IV, State Div. Il Football Champions
2002: Ventura Co. Large Schools Football Coach of the Year;
2001: Head Coach East Team, Ventura County All-Star Game
2000: Head Coach, California vs. Texas, Shrine All-Star Classic; Marmonte League Football Coach of the Year.
1999: CIF-SS Coach of the year; Ventura Co. Large School Football Coach of the Year; Marmonte League Football Coach of the Year; LA Times Football Coach of the Year; State Division Il Football Champions.
1997: Head Coach CIF vs. City All-Star Game
1994: Marmonte League Football Coach of the Year; Ventura County Large Schools Football Coach of the Year.
1991 : Head Coach, East Team, Ventura County All Star Game; Head Coach, West Team, Daily News All-Star Game
1990: Ventura County Large Schools Football Coach of the Year
1989: Head Coach, CIF 2A Track Runner-up (Crespi); Head Coach West Team, Daily News All Star Game
1987: Offensive Coordinator, West Team, Daily News All-Star Game
1986: Offensive Coordinator, CIF Big 5 Football Champions (Crespi High)
COMMUNITY:
Coach Benkert is married, his wife Joi, and has a daughter, Katie and three step-children, Jessi, Chrystal and Aaron. He is a member of a large variety of organizations directly involved in community improvement, through teaching and sports. He also pioneered voluntary drug testing at Westlake High School.