Webb hires CIF champion coach from Cypress

Webb filled its head football coaching vacancy with last week by hiring Ray Fenton, whose resume includes a CIF-SS Southwest Division championship in 2007 and four appearances in the semifinals in five years at Cypress.

Fenton showed interest in the Webb position only after receiving a reduction in force notice from Cypress for the second consecutive year, meaning his position could be eliminated. Webb athletic director Steve Wishek, who is thrilled to have a coach of Fenton's caliber, actually rebuffed Fenton's first attempt at contact with Webb upon hearing he was a physical education teacher.

"We don't have P.E. so I kind of gave him the cold shoulder," Wishek said. "Then I noticed on the OC Register Website that Cypress had a coach in the top 10 coaches of the decade and thought 'Didn't I get a call from a guy from Cypress?' That's when it clicked."

Over 30 people applied for the position vacated by Robbie von Pertz on Jan. 23 for medical reasons. Wishek was surprised at the high level of applicants, estimating only about two applicants were less than qualified.