Meet Our Coaches
Dylan Smith, Head Coach, Offensive Coordinator, QB’s
Coach Smith began his football playing career at Santa Monica High School and then played for Santa Monica College. He was recruited to play quarterback at the University of Kansas from 1999-2000 before signing with the Saskatchewan Rough Riders of the CFL. His coaching career began with stints at Samo, Malibu High, and Brentwood, where he served as their Varsity Offensive Coordinator, QB Coach, and JV Head Coach from 2015 to 2022. He currently works as a special education assistant and holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice and A.S. in Athletic Coaching. He currently lives in Santa Monica with his two sons Draiden and Donnan.
Syr Riley, Offensive Line Coach
Syr Riley is a dedicated coach and former athlete with a strong background in football. A 2018 graduate of Palisades Charter High School, Riley had an impressive high school career, earning accolades such as the 2016 Western League Offensive Lineman of the Year, the 2016 CalHi Sports All-State Offensive Lineman, and being ranked as the Number 1 Offensive Guard on the West Coast by Scout.com. Following his successful high school tenure, Riley continued to excel on the collegiate level as an Offensive Lineman at Washington State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 2022. In 2023, he transferred to Jackson State University to compete in his final season of eligibility, where he is also pursuing a Master’s Degree, set to be completed in May 2025. Now, as a member of the Palisades coaching staff, Syr Riley brings his tenacity, passion, and extensive knowledge of football to the Offensive Line. He is committed to developing a fundamentally sound, reliable, and dominant unit that will excel this season.
Jack Beck, Varsity Defensive Coordinator
Coach Beck joined Pali High in 2024 as the Varsity Defensive Coordinator and Defensive Backs coach. He grew up in Westport, Connecticut playing football at Staples High School. He was a starting defensive back receiving All-League honors his Senior year. He went on to the University of Texas at Austin where he worked in multiple different departments within the football program, most recently, working within the recruiting department as a student assistant, helping both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. He graduated college in 2022 and in addition to coaching, works for an advertising technology startup.
Kelly Loftus, Varsity Linebacker Coach
Coach Loftus began his journey at Palisades Charter High School in 1998 as a Health Education teacher. In 2004, he transitioned from the classroom to administration, becoming a Dean—a role he has proudly served in ever since. His passion for athletics emerged early, as he became a JV Football coach in 1999. Coaching has become second nature to him, and he truly feels at home. Over the years, he has had the privilege of coaching various sports, including Girl’s Softball, Track, Baseball, and both JV and Varsity Football. For Coach Loftus, working with the students at Pali High has been an incredibly rewarding experience, far more meaningful than any recognition on the field. He considers coaching not only a passion but an honor, and he extends his gratitude to Coach Smith and Palisades Charter High for the opportunity to contribute to the school’s athletic legacy.
LeHenry Solomon, Wide Receivers Coach
Coach Solomon brings over 18 years of coaching experience, ranging from youth leagues to high school athletics. He has coached a variety of positions and previously served as the JV Defensive Coordinator at Salesian High School. His commitment to student-athletes extends beyond the field, as he has developed programs focused on fostering academic achievement and socio-emotional growth. Additionally, Coach Solomon has collaborated with the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers, coaching at their camps as part of the NFL’s Play60 initiative to promote physical activity. He has also provided training for youth and high school coaches, specializing in trauma-informed coaching strategies.
Julian Love, Defensive Line Coach
Coach Love joined Palisades Charter High School in 2023, bringing with him valuable experience from his previous two seasons coaching wide receivers and defensive backs for the El Sereno Stallions’ 10u and 11u teams. His playing career began at John Muir High School, where he competed as an offensive lineman and defensive end from 2004 to 2007. He continued his athletic journey at Glendale Community College, playing tight end and defensive end in 2016 and 2017, before transferring to the University of Saint Mary. There, he played as a defensive lineman during the 2018 and 2019 seasons, ultimately earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science.
Brandon Forrest, Running Backs Coach
Coach Forrest is the Running Back Coach for Palisades football, having joined the team in 2024. He is excited and confident about the program’s future. In addition to his role with Pali football, he provides personal coaching to high school athletes. Beyond coaching, he is the co-founder and CEO of an all-purpose entertainment company focused on providing support and guidance within the industry.
Christian Featherstone, JV Head Coach
Coach Featherstone was born and raised in Santa Monica and he started his football career playing at Santa Monica High School. He went on to play football and basketball for Santa Monica College. Once he realized he would have to be a full-time college student to play college sports he reluctantly dropped out to help his family provide for his younger siblings. At that time he started working for the SMMUSD as a teacher’s assistant within the entrepreneur business program at Samo. Shortly after, he was hired as the special teams coach & defensive coordinator for the freshman football team and also became the head freshman basketball coach. In 2012 he began working at Calvary Christian School and in 2018 he officially started his training program Lighzout which provides sports training and mentorship for youth ages 5-18. Coach Featherstone proudly brings over 22 years of youth mentorship and life coaching experience to Pali High. He lives in South LA with his Girlfriend Rodjalynn and their three sons Xahavi, Xereck & Xion.
Rashad Rhodes, JV Offensive Coordinator
Rashad Rhodes graduated from Shaw University in 2006 with a degree in Recreation. A standout center for the football team, he helped win the CIAA Championship and the Pioneer Bowl. He was recognized as an All-CIAA and All-American player and was a candidate for the Gene Upshaw Award. Originally from Los Angeles, Rashad returned in 2011 to coach at Palisades YMCA. From 2016-2018, he helped build the sports program at Oakwood Recreation and coached flag football at Calvary Christian and Palisades Recreation response to the pandemic, he started a coaching business focused on developing athletes’ skills and mental well-being. Rashad is a devoted family man, sharing his love for sports with his wife, Donchelle, and their five children—Nevaeh, JoJo, Nahlah, Novah, and Royal. He is excited to be part of the Pali High Football program.
Ahkim Olugbala, JV Assistant Coach
Ahkim Olugbala, affectionately known as Coach O’ or Mr. O’, was born in Los Angeles and raised in Carson, where he still resides. He is a proud alumnus of Grambling State University, graduating in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. In 2017, he earned a master’s degree in education from Concordia University. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational leadership, aiming to complete it by December 2025. Olugbala’s coaching and teaching career began in 1998 at Gardena High School, where he taught Algebra 1 and served as the Varsity defensive line coach. In his second year as defensive line coach, the team made it to the championship but lost to Banning High School in the closing minutes of the game. The following year, during the 1999-2000 season, they avenged the loss by defeating Roosevelt, earning Olugbala his first championship as a coach. He coached at Gardena for nine seasons. In 2007, Olugbala transferred to Paramount High School, where he became the JV head coach and defensive coordinator, leading the defense for two seasons. His most recent coaching role was as defensive coordinator at the JV level for Downey High School during the 2016-2017 school year.
Joe Spector, Life Experience Coach
A lifelong member of Pali’s community, Joe was officially approved by LAUSD as Pali High’s Life Experience Coach in 2011. In 1987, Joe first organized the varsity pre-game dinners, and since then, has taken thousands of players to Gladstone’s for the traditional home game meal. Each year our team MVP is given the Joe Spector Award, presented to the one varsity player who is outstanding on the field and exemplifies the values of Pali High football, including loyalty, discipline, and perseverance. Joe believes that “Quitters Never Win, and Winners Never Quit!”