Long Beach City College interim athletic director Randy Totorp has announced the hiring of Brett Peabody as the new head coach of the Viking football program. Peabody replaces previous head coach, Mike Reisbig and will assume an adjunct faculty position.
Coach Peabody comes to LBCC after a 10-year (2003-12) coaching career at nearby Los Angeles Harbor College, including the past three as head coach. Over three seasons, Peabody compiled a 21-12 overall record, was 12-4 in conference play and led Harbor to three consecutive bowl game appearances. His 2010 squad was 8-3 and went undefeated in conference play (5-0) on its way to a Central West Conference championship.
"This is an incredible moment for me, my family, and my staff," said Peabody, the college's 21st head coach in the program's history. "I'm very excited to get started at Long Beach City College. This is a program that I have always admired."
While at Harbor, Peabody served as quarterbacks coach in 2003, was named offensive coordinator in 2004, and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2009 before taking over the program in 2010. As assistant head coach in 2009, Harbor went 9-2, won the American Mountain Conference championship, and secured a spot in a postseason bowl game.
"Brett has done a tremendous job at Harbor Community College and we are excited for him to take the helm and lead our football program and student-athletes here at LBCC," said Totorp.
Peabody's goals for his football program are simple, recruit local talent, win state championships, and transfer kids out to four-year colleges. Since 2010, Peabody helped transfer 60 of his student-athletes at Harbor, including 39 to NCAA Division I/IA universities. He expects more to transfer from his 2012 squad as well.
"We plan on emphasizing local recruiting to get the best players available from our area," he said. "We take great pride in transferring our kids out."
Prior to Harbor, Peabody was the head coach at South High School in Torrance from 1998-2001. Over four seasons, he compiled a 26-18-3 overall record and led South to three straight playoff appearances (1999-2001). In 1999, South captured an Ocean League championship while Peabody was named the league coach of the year.
While at South, Peabody coached numerous athletes to college scholarships, including four to NCAA Division I universities. Topping that list are former NFL running back Chauncey Washington (USC) and CIF offensive player of the year David Aupiu (Montana State).
As a player, Peabody was an All-Olympic League defensive back at Miraleste High School in Ranchos Palos Verdes. He played one season at Northern Arizona University before transferring to Santa Barbara City College.
Peabody earned his bachelor's degree in secondary education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and was awarded his master's degree from Ball State University in physical education/coaching.
"We are proud to have Brett Peabody join the Long Beach City College Athletics family," said Connie Sears, Dean of Student Affairs, Kinesiology and Athletics. "At Harbor, he demonstrated a continued level of success not only on the field, but by transferring his student-athletes on to four-year institutions. We look forward to an exciting future for the LBCC Football program."
Peabody, his wife Celeste, and three children currently reside in San Pedro. He is also the co-owner, founder, and director of The Next Level Football Academy.