OPHS picks co-head coaches for football

Oak Park High has opted to hire co-head coaches for the 2009 football campaign.

Dennis Stephenson and Terry Shorten will assume the top position, replacing Dick Billingsley, who stepped down after 19 years at the helm.

Stephenson was the head football coach at Grace Brethren of Simi Valley from 19972004. He's also worked for 10 years as Grace Brethren's youth sports director.

Stephenson came to Oak Park as a varsity assistant, working with the offensive and defensive lines. In addition to his role as co-head coach, Stephenson will still teach the team's linemen.

Shorten coached six years of youth football and joined the Oak Park staff in 2002.

He was the defensive coordinator as well as linebacker and running back coach for the junior varsity team.

From 2005 to 2007, Shorten served as head coach of the JV program, as well as offensive and defensive coordinator of the freshman squad.

Last season, Shorten moved up to the varsity team as defensive coordinator.

Courtesy Oak Park High