Westlake hires Jesse Craven as new football coach

Craven led Burroughs to a nine-win season and a Pacific League title in 2023

Westlake High announced Jesse Craven as its new football coach Friday afternoon.

Craven has created a buzz for himself after leading Burbank/Burroughs to its first Pacific League title since 2015, aiding the Bears to a 9-1 record before falling to Agoura High in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 7 playoffs.

"Westlake is excited for the opportunity that is in front of our football program, through his new leadership role. We look forward to seeing the immediate steps taken in the offseason and the positive results that will follow next fall," the school's press release read.

Craven, who is just 30 years old, will take over a Westlake program that saw its former head coach, Mark Serve, be let go midseason. Serve was at the helm for just two and a half seasons and went 8-17 during that span. 

Mark Serve out as football coach at Westlake High

Westlake has finished each of the last two seasons 2-8 and has just one Marmonte League victory in two seasons.

Craven is not unfamiliar with putting an imprint on a program. He took over at Burroughs in 2020 when he was just 26 years old and navigated the program through COVID-19. 

Burroughs improved its win totals each year Cravens was the head coach, going from one win during the abbreviates spring season of 2021 to four wins in the fall of 2021, seven wins in 2022 and nine wins this past season.

He was named the 2023 Pacific League Coach of the Year.