KEYNOTE SPEAKER

Jeff Choate was named the 28th head coach of the Nevada football program Dec. 4, 2023. Choate comes to Nevada from Texas, where he served as the co-defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach since 2021. Under Choate’s tutelage, the Longhorn defense topped the Big XII (through Dec. 2, 2023) in rushing defense (80.8 ypg, third in the country), red-zone defense (71.4 percent, fourth in the country), scoring defense (17.5 points per game, 13th in the country), and total defense (321.7 yards per game, 23rd in the country), as the Longhorns racked up a 12-1 record, Big XII title, and a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Prior to his time in Austin, Choate served four seasons (2016-19) as head coach at Montana State. There, he led the Bobcats to a combined 19-9 record over his final two seasons, making consecutive appearances in the FCS playoffs with a run to the semifinals in 2019.

Since starting as a graduate assistant at Utah State in 2002, Choate’s stops have included championship and top-10 programs as Boise State (2006-11), Montana State (2016-20), and Texas. His resume includes two Fiesta Bowl titles (Boise State, 2007 and 2010).

Raul Lara, the newly appointed Head Football Coach of nationally ranked Mater Dei High School, brings over 30 years of coaching experience marked by exceptional athletic development and mentorship. A native of Long Beach, Lara played under renowned coach Jim Barnett at Long Beach Polytechnic High School before continuing his athletic journey at UC Santa Barbara, where he earned a bachelor’s degree. Returning to Long Beach Poly as a coach, Lara led the program to five CIF championships and an outstanding record of 142-30, earning CIF Southern Section Division I Coach of the Year honors five times.

His career also spans coaching roles at Warren High School, Servite High School, and St. Anthony High School in Long Beach, with many of his players advancing to collegiate and professional levels. Lara’s background as a Dean and Deputy Probation Officer in Los Angeles County reflects his dedication to supporting young people’s growth on and off the field. Now at Mater Dei, Coach Lara is ready to lead the program into a new era of success.

TJ Ewing is a seasoned and dedicated coach celebrating his 20th season as the Head Varsity Football Coach at Monterey Trail High School. As one of the founding staff members, Coach Ewing has been instrumental in shaping the athletic culture at Monterey Trail, continually driving growth and success both on and off the field. His dedication to student-athletes extends beyond coaching, as he also serves as an on-campus teacher, instructing Strength and Weight Training classes for all Monterey Trail students.

Coach Ewing’s vision and commitment to his students and community are evident in his efforts to establish a thriving football program, which has strengthened the bond between Monterey Trail and the surrounding community. His influence and leadership make him an ideal speaker for The Clinic of Champions, as he continues to build upon the legacy of Monterey Trail’s athletic program and inspire countless student-athletes.

Richard Sanchez, the Head Coach and Athletic Director at Cardinal Newman High School, brings a wealth of experience and a remarkable track record of success in high school and college football. A celebrated coach with the most wins in St. Augustine High School history, Sanchez led his teams to two CIF Championships and five League Championships, earning him the prestigious title of Meritorious Coach of the Year in 2014 by the CIF San Diego Hall of Champions. Sanchez’s playing career includes roles as a quarterback, running back, and wide receiver at New Mexico State University, where he completed a Bachelor’s degree in Education. His coaching journey began as the Head Coach at Montclair High School and San Diego High School, followed by a Graduate Assistant role coaching the offensive line at San Diego State University (SDSU), where he also earned a Master’s degree in Exercise Science. Sanchez further honed his expertise with positions as Running Backs and Special Teams Assistant Coach at the University of San Diego, Defensive Backs and Special Teams Assistant at Valparaiso, and Running Backs, Tight Ends, and Special Teams Assistant at Sacramento State. He returned to St. Augustine High School as Head Coach and later rejoined SDSU as a Defensive Backs and Special Teams Assistant under Rocky Long. Sanchez also served as Associate Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator at Southeastern University in Florida. His extensive background and accomplishments make him an ideal addition to the Clinic of Champions, where his insights and experience will be invaluable to aspiring athletes and coaches alike.

Jason Tenner is the head football coach at West Park High School in Roseville, California. Since West Park opened in 2020, Coach Tenner has led the school’s football team to remarkable success. In their inaugural varsity season, West Park made history as the first Sacramento-area school to win an outright league title without any seniors, earning a spot in the playoffs. Under his guidance, the team has qualified for the playoffs each year and reached the section semifinals in both 2022 and 2023.

Beyond high school coaching, Coach Tenner has made significant contributions to national and international football. He coached in the prestigious U.S. Army All-American Bowl in 2006 and in USA Football’s International Bowl in 2017 and 2018. From 2015 to 2021, he served as a Regional Director with USA Football, helping to shape and develop the sport at the grassroots level. Coach Tenner’s leadership continues to inspire and develop young athletes, positioning West Park High School as a rising force in high school football.

Rob has just completed his 6th season as the head coach at Spanish Springs HS. He and his staff have worked to make Spanish Springs a perennial contender in the Northern 5A football conference. He believes very strongly in building relationships and helping his student athletes become hard working, high character, young men. Rob teaches weights, PE, and health classes at Spanish Springs HS and also serves as a Co-Leader of the school’s FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) program. Rob is blessed with a beautiful family and very much enjoys spending time with his wife of 20 years, Mandy, their children Trey, Tate, Brady, and Aubrie, and their 3 dogs.

Mason Hughes is in his first season at the College of the Sequoias, where he serves as the Special Teams Coordinator and Safeties Coach. Before joining the collegiate ranks, Hughes built an impressive 15-year career as the Head Coach at Central Valley Christian High School. During his tenure, he led his team to three CIF Central Section titles, three Southern California Regional titles, and captured a California State Championship. Known for his strategic expertise and dedication to player development, Hughes brings a wealth of experience and a championship mindset to the Clinic of Champions.

Frank Marques, head coach of Hilmar High School’s Yellowjackets, is celebrated as one of the top high school football coaches in California. Named a 2022-23 Model Coach Award winner by the California Interscholastic Federation, Marques has led Hilmar High for over two decades, achieving an impressive career record of 187-63. Under his guidance, the Yellowjackets have qualified for the playoffs 20 out of his 22 seasons, excluding the 2020 season canceled due to the pandemic. His teams have claimed four Sac-Joaquin Section championships in 10 finals appearances and celebrated a 2018 Division 6-AA state championship, establishing Marques as a transformative leader in high school sports.

2023-24 Season Record: Boys 12-2 / Girls 9-7

Chris, a dedicated and accomplished football coach, has been at the helm of Casa Roble High School’s football program since 2017. Over his impressive 24-season tenure at Casa, he has undertaken various coaching roles, including 12 seasons as a freshman coach, 2 seasons as a Varsity assistant, 2 seasons as the JV head coach, and the last 7 seasons as the Varsity Head Coach. This past fall marked the conclusion of his 7th season, during which he led his team to a Division 5 Sac Joaquin Section Title, showcasing his leadership and strategic prowess on the field. Throughout his coaching career, Chris has consistently achieved success, boasting a career record of 56-21 in 7 seasons, including 6 playoff appearances and 5 league titles. Beyond his accomplishments in football, he also served as the head Girls Flag Football coach at Casa Roble High School in the most recent season, demonstrating his versatility and commitment to fostering a love for the game across genders.

2023-24 Season Record: 7-11

Melissa began her coaching career at 16 when she served as an assistant coach for Holy Family’s middle school basketball team. That began a career that has spanned nearly 30 years and four different sports. After college, Triebwasser coached both boys and girls basketball at Fort Worth Academy in Fort Worth, Texas, before returning to the Sacramento Area. She served as the freshman basketball coach at Rocklin High School before being hired as the assistant basketball coach at William Jessup University, where she would serve as the head women’s coach one year later. After her time at WJU, where she took the program to the playoffs for the first time in school history, she took over the varsity girls basketball position at Granite Bay High School. Upon returning to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Triebwasser was a three sport coach at The Oakridge School in Arlington, where she was a part of championship winning teams in both volleyball and softball, as well as coaching at the middle school, JV, and Varsity levels in basketball. Triebwasser served as the JV basketball coach in her first year at St. Francis and jumped at the opportunity to start the flag football program on the campus. In year one, the Troubadours overcame the toughest schedule in the section to finish fourth in the SFL and make the playoffs. In her free time, Melissa serves as a credentialed media member covering the Sacramento Kings and TCU Athletics, where she has covered the football program for more than a decade, including their college football playoff appearance following the 2022 season as well as multiple College World Series and NCAA Tournament berths by the Horned Frogs.

2023-24 Season Record: 17 – 3

Raymond Bradley orchestrated a groundbreaking event on the campus of Christian Brothers High School. Under his leadership, the first-ever flag football “Holy Bowl” unfolded as Christian Brothers played host to St. Francis, marking a significant milestone for the school. With hundreds of enthusiastic fans in attendance, the atmosphere was electric for this momentous game. Bradley’s coaching prowess and strategic acumen were evident as the Falcons secured a resounding 33-0 victory against the Troubadours, capping off the inaugural flag football holy bowl with a memorable win.