Sean Curtis: Head Coach

Coach Sean Curtis is entering his 14th coaching season in Orange County and 5th with Capo Valley High School. He began coaching as the varsity wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator at Northwood High School. He moved on to Santa Margarita Catholic High School as the Head of Football Operations and wide receivers coach and helped the Eagles’ offense break 19 school records. Coach Curtis spent three years at JSerra Catholic High School coaching wide receivers and was the freshman head coach.

As the son of current Crean Lutheran High School head coach Rick Curtis, Sean has grown up around football and accredits his success and coaching philosophies to the time spent assisting his father.

Sean graduated from Northwood High School and later received a bachelor’s degree in business communications from Arizona State University. He resides in Rancho Santa Margarita with his wife, Carly, and their two children, Bailey and Cooper.

Dan Selway: Varsity Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks/Youth Camp Director

Dan Selway is entering his 4th season with Capo Valley. He played QB at Northwood HS in Irvine from 2002-2005, helping Northwood win two league championships. All League and All CIF QB/DB as a Junior and Senior. Pacific Coast League MVP as a Senior and City of Irvine player of the year and played in the OC All-Star game.

Dan was a two-time All-American QB (2007 and 2009) at the University of Redlands and conference player of the year twice. The first four-year team captain in school history and had a 27-5 record as a starting QB. Dan threw for over 7,500 yards and 77 touchdowns in college career—both school records.

Dan was a professional QB in Finland in 2011 (Finnish league player of the year, still holding the record for passing TDs, 57 in just 11 games). He played in Germany in 2012 (League’s top QB rating). Dan finished his professional career in Sweden in 2013 (10-1 season and MVP).

Dan is passionate about spending time with his Family and Football. Training privately some of the top QBs and WRs here in Orange County and also spends time running youth football camps. Dan was All-CIF and ALL league basketball player as a junior and senior at Northwood HS and played college basketball at the University of Redlands. Dan resides in Lake Forest with his wife, Andrea, and their three sons, Brady, Tate, and Crew.

Jacob Van Every: Varsity Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Line

Jacob Van Every is entering his 10th year coaching at Capistrano Valley High School and his 4th year as the Varsity Defensive Coordinator. Jacob is a Capo Valley alumni and started as an outside linebacker for the 2011 CIF playoff team.

Jacob and his wife, Sara, reside in Rancho Santa Margarita with their beautiful daughter, Finley, and are expecting the arrival of their second daughter in November.

Steve Escamilla: Varsity Special Teams Assistant/Freshman Offensive Coordinator/Freshman RBs/Freshman SPT

Coach Stephen Escamilla enters his 6th year coaching at Capo Valley. Coach Escamilla played running back at Capo in 2016-17 when Capo reached the CIF finals. After graduating, Stephen returned to coach because of his love for the game. He is excited about the upcoming season and looks forward to working alongside head coach Sean Curtis.

Scott Schepens: Varsity & Freshman Offensive Line/Freshman Head Coach

Coach Schepens starts his 10th season coaching at Capo Valley, working with the offensive line. He will also be coaching the freshmen team. In addition, he works as a social science teacher at Capo. Coach Schepens serves as the Cougars’ head track and field coach in the Spring season.

Before joining Capo, Coach Schepens spent five previous seasons coaching at Anaheim High School, where he worked in various coaching positions. He also served as the head varsity wrestling coach for two seasons.

Coach Schepens graduated from Chapman University, played college football, and received his BA in Liberal Studies. He then went to Claremont Graduate University, where he received his MA in US History. He finished his educational training by obtaining his Cal State Long Beach teaching credential.

Coach Schepens is a resident of San Juan Capistrano, where he lives with his lovely wife, Abby. When he is not busy coaching or grading papers, Coach Schepens enjoys being active in outdoor sports and weightlifting.

Carlos Escobar: Varsity and Freshman Defensive Line

Coach Escobar started his football career at Capistrano Valley in 2010 and has 13 years of experience coaching the defensive line. After graduating, he went on to play for Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa. He signed with Bethany College in Lindsborg, Kansas, where he would graduate with his Bachelor’s in political science, Social Sciences, and Teaching Degree.

Coach Escobar returns to Capistrano Valley High School to give back to the community and the football program that started his love and passion for the sport. Football opened many doors for coach Escobar, allowing him to realize his dream of becoming a college student-athlete and pushing him to get his degree. Coach Escobar’s objective is to help student-athletes achieve their dreams and goals by being their mentor, driving them past their expectations, and helping them understand that anyone can make it in this world.

James Benedix: Varsity Co-Defensive Coordinator/Strength Coordinator/JV Defensive Coordinator & Linebackers

Coach James Benedix grew up in Mission Viejo and is a Capo Valley alumnus. During his junior and senior years of football, he earned 1st-team All Sea-View League Linebacker honors. In his senior year, he was named Defensive MVP of the Sea-View League as well as MVP of his team. After high school, coach Benedix attended Humboldt State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, emphasizing Pre-Physical Therapy. Coach Benedix was named All-Great Northwest Athletic Conference Linebacker at Humboldt State University.

Coach Benedix has recently earned his teaching credential in science and enters his 3rd year teaching at Capo Valley High School. In addition to teaching, Coach Benedix is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist. When Coach Benedix is not working or coaching, you can most likely find him out on the golf course getting 18 holes in.

Mike Acosta: JV Head Coach/JV Offensive Coordinator/JV & Freshman Wide Receivers/Social Media Co-Coordinator

Coach Mike Acosta is entering his third year at Capo Valley High School. He spent his first year at Capo as a freshman offensive coordinator and is going on his second season as JV Head Coach. Before joining Capo Valley, Coach Acosta spent the previous eight years coaching football at the youth level in South Orange County. During his time as a coach at the youth level, his teams have won multiple championships and have been recognized as one of the top youth programs in Orange County.

Coach Acosta grew up in El Paso, TX, where his passion for football was ignited by his grandfather, who was an avid football fan. He is a graduate of Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Coach Acosta is a federal employee supporting the Department of Homeland Security when not coaching. He resides in Laguna Niguel with his wife, Monica, and three sons, Tommy (16), Marco (13), and DJ (8). In his free time, he continues to coach at the youth level for his younger sons’ teams.

Scott McIntosh – Freshman Defensive Coordinator/Freshman Linebackers

Coach Mac looks forward to returning to Capo Valley for his second season and serving as the Freshmen Defensive Coordinator again.

His career in coaching began in 2001 at his alma mater, Santa Margarita Catholic High School. He spent the next 18 years coaching at SMCHS on all three levels, 12 years as the Head Freshman Coach. He is passionate about working with the freshmen players and watching them develop on the field, in the classroom, and life.

Coach Mac earned his Bachelor of Arts in History from California State Fullerton in 1999. He resides in Mission Viejo with his incredible wife, Sarah, and sons Xander (CVHS class of 26) and Elliot (CVHS class of 28).

Armando Gonzalez: Varsity WRs/Punters

Coach Gonzalez returns to Capo Valley as the Varsity Wide Receivers & Punters coach, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the football program. As a former head coach (22 years) at Franklin HS, Dana Hills HS, and JSerra, he has an overall record of 180 – 72 – 3. Coach Armando averaged eight wins per season, won 4 Los Angeles City/CIF Section Championships, 13 League Titles, and 19 playoff appearances. His achievements are a testament to his coaching ability and leadership, and he was a pioneer in the quick passing game during his tenure at Franklin HS. In his 40th season, Coach Armando has served as OC and DC, coaching just about every position.
Coach Forster resides in San Juan Capistrano and now finds DIY home improvements a new hobby on top of traveling, pub trivia, and watching Kyle Busch dominate NASCAR!

Allen Nichols: Varsity and JV Defensive Backs

Coach Fox, a native of Battle Creek, Michigan, was a three-sport athlete competing as a varsity letterman in football, wrestling, and track. After high school, Coach Fox joined the United States Navy and completed basic training in San Diego. Coach Fox says serving in the military was one of the most defining periods of his life. After nine years in the Navy, he received an honorable discharge and is a Proud Navy Veteran. Along the way, Coach Fox became involved in youth activities and sports. He was a Life Scout in the Boy Scouts of America, serving in leadership roles in his Boy Scout Troop 39.
Coach Fox served as a Big Brother in the Big Brothers of America Program for many years. After over 40 years, he maintains an ongoing relationship with his then Little Brother. Always feeling he could give more, Coach Fox began coaching Flag Football almost 20 twenty years ago. After several years at the Flag level, Coach Fox began coaching Pop Warner Football in Rancho Santa Margarita, which led him to his first high school coaching position at CAPO High School for the 2012 season. After the 2012 season, Coach Fox began a remarkable coaching career at rival Tesoro High School until the end of the 2022 season. Coach Fox has returned to CAPO High School, where his high school coaching career began.

Aside from serving in the military, Coach Fox says coaching and mentoring youth and young men in football has been the most rewarding time in his life. “I have been so Blessed, honored, and humbled to be a part of something that has become such a passion and enjoyment,” Coach Fox stated. Coach Fox looks forward to his time at Capo as the Varsity DB Coach. Coach Fox runs his Safety, Health, and Environmental Consulting business when not coaching.

Tony Barrera: Kickers / JV Special Teams Coordinator

Coach Tony Barrera is entering his 3rd season at Capo. He played his senior year in the 2019 season as a kicker. After graduating in 2020, coach Barrera wanted to return to help and give back to the program for the 2020 season. He would attend as many practices and games as possible and help wherever possible. Now, he is the kickers’ coach and the JV Special Teams Coordinator with the help of Coach Curtis and Coach Escamilla. Coach Tony currently works as a paraeducator at Newhart Middle School. He is attending California Baptist University to get his Bachelor’s in Kinesiology to one day become an Adapted Physical Education teacher for students with disabilities and special needs.

Jens Forster: Equipment Manager

Jens Forster, a Capo Valley Football alumnus and 1996’s Most Improved Player, is entering his 26th year of coaching and 18th year here at Capo. After playing for the 1995 and 1996 teams, he started coaching the Cougar freshman team. He helped the Cougars for four years before he took a hiatus from Capo. Coach Forster worked for Estancia, Tesoro, and Aliso Niguel before returning home in 2010 as Equipment Manager and JV line coach. Coach Forster is using his history degree from Cal State Fullerton and has become a historian, keeping and updating the records the Cougars have accomplished. As equipment manager, Coach is behind the scenes helping make sure practice and game day runs smoothly for the other coaches to coach up the boys. The best part of his job is seeing how the players develop and improve year to year and watching the current Cougars leave their mark on Capo Football History.

Coach Forster resides in San Juan Capistrano and now finds DIY home improvements a new hobby on top of traveling, pub trivia, and watching Kyle Busch dominate NASCAR!

Emily Trebino: Video Director

Emily Trebino is in her first year of coaching. She is a certified hot yoga instructor and a certified strength and conditioning coach (CSCS) through the NSCA. Emily is excited to be a part of Cougar football this year as the Video Director. She is a master drone operator capturing practice film for the team to review.

Emily has been on the leading team at the annual Capo Golf Tournament every year. She has strongly supported Capo Football, watching her brother-in-law, Dane Benedix, play and her fiancé, Coach Benedix, coach at his alma mater. If Emily is not teaching yoga or at practice, you will find her on the golf course!