With a new head football coach, Santa Monica High also has a new staff of assistants.
Travis Clark has brought in his own people but has retained one assistant from the staff of previous head coach Zach Cuda — line coach Tom Gomez.
Andre Gaines will coach the running backs, Jason Battung the quarterbacks, Al Steen the linebackers, and Sean Weston the defensive backs. Weston played for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Battung, who is a substitute teacher at Samohi, played quarterback at the University of Pennsylvania. He’s also the team’s yoga instructor.
Clark has added yoga to the team’s off-season practice routine.
“It helps with flexibility and improves concentration,” said Clark.