Pali Dean and football coach Kelly Loftus plans to retire at the end of the current school year.
Loftus was first hired at Pali in 1998 as a Health teacher and began his coaching career the following year. He was elected to the Dean position in 2006.
Throughout his time with the Pali football team, Loftus has served in a variety of positions, including head coach, defensive assistant coordinator, defensive line coach and most recently, the Linebacker coach.
His job requires him to instruct the players on various defensive strategies. He also teaches them how to identify different formations and plays.
Over the course of Loftus’ time coaching at Pali, the football program has achieved several highlights. When he began coaching, he used his determination and passion to strengthen the previously struggling team. His hard work, which fostered a higher sense of communication throughout the team, helped them take a turn for the better.
“When I took over the program it was on a downward slide,’’ Loftus said. “Within two years, we were back to playing at least .500 football.”
Loftus said some of the most pivotal moments during his coaching career involved the team’s wins and celebrations.
“A highlight was the first time we beat Granada Hills for the Charter Bowl,” he shared. “The first three years, Granada won [the Charter Bowl]. Then, in year four, Palisades finally [won].”
Pali Senior and outside linebacker Jake Treibatch joined the Pali football team his freshman year. During Treibatch’s first year playing for Pali, he worked under Loftus’ guidance. Over the years, their relationship has grown much stronger, he said.
Treibatch agreed that playing Granada in the Charter Bowl was a key moment for Loftus, noting his enthusiasm.
“Toward the very end of the game, [Loftus] was getting everyone hyped up,” he said. “So that was a really big win for him.”
Treibatch also shared that Loftus has had a significant impact on the team beyond their success in games, instilling values and life lessons that the players carry with them every day.
“[I learned] how to carry myself on and off the field [from Loftus],” he said.
Additionally, Treibatch believes that Loftus instilled values in the players that allowed them to be assertive during games.
“[Loftus] stands for the fact that you have to stand up for yourself on the field,” he said.
Pali Athletic Director Rocky Montz has been working with Loftus since 2007. Similarly to Treibatch, Montz expressed an appreciation for Loftus’ high spirits and enthusiasm.
“I think the biggest thing he contributed to [practice] was energy,” Montz said. “He has always been super loud, but the kids respond to it.”
Loftus plans to finish the football season strong with the team that he has grown so close to over the years.
“It’s been a marvelous ride,” he said. “I feel very fortunate to have landed at a fine school like this.”
