Oaks Christian Has New Voice: Jeff Woodruff

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By Rahshaun Haylock

LOS ANGELES (CBS) From the ground up, Bill Redell built Oaks Christian into a seven-time CIF champion upon taking over the program in 2000. In March, he decided to retire.

Oaks Christian began a national search for his replacement.

A former NFL player and an NFL assistant were among those that put their name in the hat. Rising out of the pile of applications was UTEP assistant head coach Jeff Woodruff. He has over 30 years of Division I coaching experience, including a national championship as an assistant at Washington in 1991. He was also the head coach at Eastern Michigan for four seasons.

After an abbreviated spring, which lasted all of five practices, Woodruff is asserting himself as the new voice of Oaks Christian football.

However, a lot of what he has to say is similar to what was said on the campus before he stepped foot in Westlake Village.

Woodruff retained the coaching staff that previously coached under Redell and says he doesn't expect to change much.

Returners for the Lions include quarterback Brandon Dawkins, wide receiver Francis Owusu, offensive lineman Reno Rosene, defensive lineman Marcus Jones, and defensive back Malik Cyphers.

Oaks Christian went 11-3 in 2011, losing in the Northern Division championship to Marmonte League rival Westlake. This season, the Lions and their Marmonte League brethren will be moving up to the PAC-5 Division for the playoffs.