By Mason Vargas
After more than a decade on the sidelines, the head coach of Westmont Warriors football, Mark Kaanapu, is stepping away. “Coach K” has announced his retirement, ending an era that began in 2014. Over 11 seasons, Coach K led the Warriors to a 61–41 overall record. He leaves behind a program shaped by consistency and reliability. Since taking over the program, Coach K became a huge presence on and off the field, guiding Westmont through tough league battles, pushes into CCS, and seasons of recovery, or rebuild years. Over the years, the program competed in numerous memorable moments, from statement wins to one-point games that defined the team’s identity and constant grit.
Let’s hear some words from Coach K from my interview with him,
What are your top memories from coaching at Westmont?
“One of the things when I took this job, I took it because my family lives here, and I went to school in this district, and so I wanted to create a program that not only talks about winning football games but being good students, good young men, and then work with a community that works for the success of all students…There are two memorable things: the first win of the season, and then watching the Seniors graduate.”
What are you going to miss most following your retirement?
“Right now, the biggest reason for stepping down is that I want to be a part of all the players. If I can’t give them the right amount of energy and commitment to the program, it’s not fair to them. With everything going on in my life, I don’t want them to be shortchanged, and that’s why I chose to step away.”
What will you not miss?
“I won’t miss inventory, setting up bus schedules, equipment checks, and all of the logistical stuff that comes with being the Head Football Coach; that is what I’m not going to miss.”
What are you most proud of?
“The players, the relationships, and seeing how well they’ve grown as people, football players and students. Because I always know, with how demanding I am, because they’ve been with me for four years, that they will be successful in life.”
The wins and losses only tell a portion of the story; however, for the players who played under him, Coach K’s impact extended beyond the scoreboard. Coach K leaves behind more than just a winning record. He leaves a program that will continue to shape Westmont football long after his time on the sidelines.