Varsity Coaches
Rich Fisher - Head Varsity Coach
Fisher comes to Santa Margarita Catholic High School from the University of Nebraska, where he has served as a wide receivers coach since 2011. Prior to the University of Nebraska, Fisher was the Head Football Coach at The Rivers School, an independent coeducational preparatory school in Weston Massachusetts from 2008-2011. At Rivers, Fisher led the Red Wings to their first undefeated season since 1915 and the first Independent School League Championship and Bowl appearance in school history.
While at Nebraska, Fisher's receivers set 11 school records and produced an All-Conference wide receiver three out of his four years coaching the group. Two of Fisher's standouts, Quincy Enunwa of the New York Jets and Kenny Bell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, set numerous individual receiving records. Enunwa broke the school's single season touchdown receiving record held by former Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Rodgers, while Bell was Nebraska's most prolific wide receiver, holding the school's all-time reception and yardage records. Bell was a three-time All-Big 10 selection while Enunwa was All-Big 10 in 2013.
Fisher served as a wide receivers coach at the University of Idaho from 1999-2001 before taking over as the linebackers coach for the Vandals from 2001-2003. His road to the Division 1 level began as a graduate assistant for Oklahoma State University from 1995-1997 before moving on to his alma mater, the University of Colorado, Boulder where he was a graduate assistant from 1997-1999.
As a student-athlete at the University of Colorado, Boulder, Fisher was a part of the 1990 National Championship team and three consecutive Big-8 Conference Championship teams (1989-1991) as a linebacker. Fisher is involved with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and Team Jack and Uplifting Athletes, and organization that brings awareness to pediatric brain cancer awareness.
Lenny Vandermade - Offensive Line
Vandermade prepped at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California. He was a 1998 Super Prep All-American, USA Today All-USA honorable mention, Prep Star Dream Team Top 100, Super Prep All-Farwest, Prep Star All-Western, Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West honorable mention, Orange County Register Fab 15 second team, Tacoma News Tribune Western 100, Cal-Hi Sports All-State first team, All-CIF Southern Section first team, All-CIF Division I first team, Los Angeles Times All-Orange County, Orange County Register All-Orange County first team and All-South Coast League first team as a senior at Mater Dei. Vandermade played college football at the University of Southern California where he was a 4 year starter.
Vandermade played for the National Football League champion Pittsburgh Steelers NFL Europe affiliate Hamburg Sea Devils. He was originally signed by the Baltimore Ravens. In October 2015, Vandermade was promoted to Tight Ends coach at the University of Southern California after serving in an administrative role. Prior to working at USC, Vandermade had stops at University of San Diego where he served as the Tight Ends coach. He was also a graduate assistant at San Diego State University and coached the Offensive Line at Loyola High School in Los Angeles.
- Combined years of college coaching – 8 years
- National Championships played/won – One High School (Mater Dei ’96), One College (USC ’03)
- Years played in the NFL – 2 Years
- Conference Championships (college/pros) – 2x Pac-12 South Champion
- NFL Draft picks coached – Tyron Smith (’11 1st RD), Matt Kalil (’12 1st RD), Khaled Holmes (’13 4th RD), Marcus Martin (’14 2nd RD)
- Top recruited players – Chris Brown (USC ‘14), John Turner (UW ‘14)
Max Onyegbule - Defensive Line
Max Onyegbule spent two season on the Nebraska staff (2014 and 2015), where he served as a defensive graduate assistant. In 2015, Onyegbule assisted the husker defense that featured two All-Big Ten Honorees; second-team All-Big Ten selection Maliek Collins and All-Big Ten Honorable mention selection Vincent Valentine. In 2014, Onyegbule assisted a Nebraska defensive line that featured first-team All-Big Ten selection Randy Gregory and second-team all-conference pick Maliek Collins at defensive tackle. The play of the defensive line helped the Blackshirts rank among the national leaders in pass efficiency defense, opponent pass completion percentage and third-down defense. Onyegbule spent the 2013 season as a defensive graduate assistant at Kansas, his alma mater. Onyegbule earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Kansas in December of 2010. He is currently working on his master's in Education Administration. He and his Wife Charity were married in May 2015. While playing Defensive End for the Kansas, the Jayhawks enjoyed great success during Onyegbule’s career, including a 12-1 record in 2007, when the Jayhawks earned a BCS Orange Bowl victory over Virginia Tech finishing with a No. 7 final national ranking. After Onyegbule’s college career, he signed with the New Orleans Saints as a free Agent spending training camp with them. He also spent one season in the Canadian Football League with the Calgary Stampeeders.
- Combined years of college coaching – 3 years
- Bowls played/won – 2008 BCS Orange Bowl Champions and 2008 Insight Bowl Champion
- Years played in the NFL/CFL – 1 year
- NFL Draft picks coached – 4 (Randy Gregory, 2nd Round pick to the Dallas Cowboys, Ben Heeney, 5th Round Pick to the Radiers, Maliek Collins, 2016 Draft Prospect, Vincent Valentine, 2016 Draft Prospect)
TJ Hollowell - Defensive Coordinator
T.J. Hollowell coached the linebackers at Youngstown State for one year before coming to SMCHS. Prior to joining the YSU staff, Hollowell was the safeties coach at Huntsville High School in Texas. Prior to his one year at the high school ranks, spent four years at Nebraska with YSU Head Coach Bo Pelini. As a defensive graduate assistant for the Huskers, Hollowell worked primarily with the linebackers during his tenure. Hollowell received his degree in sociology from Nebraska in 2009 and is currently pursuing his master’s degree in Education Administration. He and his wife, Jessica, have a young son, Tommy. A former starter for the Blackshirts, Hollowell signed with the New York Giants as a free agent in 2004 and spent 3 seasons in the NFL. He played for the New York Giants in 2004 and the New York Jets in 2005, 2006 with the Chicago Bears with his brother Charles Tillman who is a top CB in the league. 2007 spent time with the Denver Broncos until he tore his calf and was put on I.R. He also spent parts of two years in the Canadian Football League with the Edmonton Eskimos.
- Combined years of college coaching – 5 years
- National Championships played/won – 1 ( 2008 BCS Orange Bowl Champions)
- Years played in the NFL – 3 year
- Years played in Canada – 1 year
- NFL Draft picks coached – 3 (Lavonte David and Will Compton)
Mike Axe - Strength and Conditioning/former Army Ranger
Axe Grew up in the small farm town of Sequim, Washington State. Earned a Military Scholarship to attend The Citadel, in Charleston, South Carolina. Graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor's in Political Science and was commissioned an Officer in the U.S. Army. Attended the Officer Leadership Course. He was one of 8 officers of 33 in his Ranger Indoctrination Program (R.I.P.) to earn a slot to attend the elite U.S. Army Airborne Ranger School. He was one of 2 of the original 9 to graduate. As a U.S. Army Ranger he led as many as 120 elite soldiers. He was promotable to the rank of Captain after 4 years of service and earned the Army Achievement and Army Commendation Medals for his service.
John Byszewski - Special Teams Coordinator
John Byszewski begins his 17th year at Santa Margarita this season. Coach Byszewski is a member of Santa Margarita’s Charter Class of 1991. He played football for Saddleback College winning a National Championship and went on to earn a football scholarship to Western State College in Colorado where he played Center for their football team and finished with a business degree. After college, John returned to SM to coach, starting with freshman and eventually coaching all levels and defensive positions. Coach Byszewski also works in the Athletic Department at Santa Margarita which keeps him involved with all of SM’s student athletes. John and his wife, Becky, have three children, John (15), Jane (13) and Ben (9) and live in Mission Viejo
Corey Overton - Cornerbacks
Coach Overton is a graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. At St. Ambrose, Coach Overton played cornerback played a key role in the nation’s #2 pass defense where he was named First Team All- Conference and an NAIA All-American game participant. Furthermore, at St. Ambrose, Coach Overton was part of an undefeated regular season (2006) team later to be ranked #3 in the nation. Additionally, Corey holds the position of Assistant Principal, Students Services at St. Junipero Serra Catholic in Rancho Santa Margarita.
A native of Davenport, Iowa, Overton received his undergraduate degrees in Kinesiology in 2008 and Physical Education Teaching in 2010 from St. Ambrose University. In addition, Overton recently received his graduate degree in education from Loyola Marymount in 2016.
Omar Brown - Safeties
- University of North Carolina 1993-1998
- NFL Atlanta Falcons 1998-2000
- XFL Orlando Rage 2001
- Assistant varsity football Coach Aliso Niguel High School 2005-2007
- Assistant football coach Freshman Defensive Coordinator Dana Hills HS 2009-2011
Markell Pete - Running Backs
Markell Pete is entering his first season with Santa Margarita Football program on the offensive side of the ball with the Running Backs. Coach Pete worked at Dickinson State University (Dickinson, ND) as the Running Backs Coach and transfer recruiter from 2012-2015 seasons. During his time at Dickinson State he coached two All-Conference performers (First and Second Team) combining over 2,000 yards with 19 Touchdowns and over 300 carries. His recruiting areas were: California, Florida, Texas, Junior Colleges, Utah and the Pacific Islands. Contributing to Dickinson State’s Back to Back conference titles 2015 & 2016 seasons, recruiting “North Star Defensive Player of The Year.” First Team All-American Noey Tauave from American River Junior College
Pete spent 2015 season at Georgia Prep Sports Academy as the Co-Offensive Coordinator Quarterbacks Coach, placing Taiyon Devers to the University of Minnesota as an Outside Linebacker.
After his coaching tenure at Georgia Prep, Pete was brought on to be the Recruiting Assistant-Pro Liaison at the University Of North Dakota in 2016, during his time there he was able to work closely with Two All-American Running Backs and being a part of an historical season nearly 2,000 yards rushing combined. “2016 Big Sky Champions.” First round playoff bye and #7 overall seed. Daily assisting with Scouts/NFL personnel, Punt and Kick Returners. Coach Pete is an Inland Empire native.
