Casey Clausen’s high school team under review over influx of transfers

Casey Clausen’s high school football team is under review by section officials because of the influx of transfers into his program.

Clausen, 34, took over the Calabasas (Calif.) High School football program prior to last year and led the Coyotes to a 6-6 record. Though it doesn’t sound like much, it’s actually an impressive turnaround for the program.

Calabasas went 0-10 the year before Clausen took over, 2-8 in 2012, and 1-9 in 2011. They also had a 44-game losing streak that ended in 2007, just to give you an idea of how bad the program has been over the past decade.

Under Clausen, who previously served as offensive coordinator for local power Oaks Christian (where his younger brother Jimmy Clausen starred and won four championships), multiple talented players have transferred to Calabasas to play for the former Tennessee star.

Tristan Gebbia followed Clausen from Oaks Christian to Calabasas and became an all-state quarterback who has been offered by Alabama. Keyshawn Johnson Jr., whose family lived in Calabasas but moved down to Orange County where the wide receiver played at Mission Viejo, transferred back to Calabasas. He joined the football team last year after its 2-0 start. Then you have Darnay Holmes, who transferred from Newbury Park to Calabasas this summer. Holmes was an all-state player last year and is currently one of the most sought-after recruits in the 2016 class.

The LA Times’ Eric Sondheimer reported Monday that the CIF Southern Section is reviewing the influx of transfers to the school. They say over 25 players have transferred to join the program since Clausen took over.

A majority of the athletes listed their reason for transfer as a valid address change. That may actually be legitimate; Calabasas always was home to good players, but most elected to attend high school elsewhere because the Coyotes’ program was so bad. Just look at Keyshawn’s family for example. Current Arizona State starting quarterback Mike Berkovici and former Louisiana Tech QB Nick Isham are others who lived in Calabasas but chose to attend different high schools.

Regardless of what CIF officials decide, there is one thing for certain: Clausen is making his mark as a coach and building a powerhouse at Calabasas, which is something that would have been laughable to say 10 years ago.

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