Evan Yabu says he’s ready to chase challenges.

There may be not a bigger challenge in Ventura County sports, at the moment, than the job he just accepted.

Yabu, 29, was announced as the Thousand Oaks High head football coach on Friday afternoon by principal Eric Bergmann, pending board approval.

“It’s a challenge that I’m definitely welcoming,” Yabu said.

After going their first 48 seasons without a winless season, the Lancers went 0-10 the last two years under former head coach Chris Casillas.

Thousand Oaks has lost 25 straight games dating back to a 24-17 win over visiting Agoura on Sept. 28, 2017.

“I am going to be patient,” Yabu said. “I do think it’s a little bit of a project.”

Yabu knows he’s not going to be able to turn the program around alone.

“In terms of how we plan to come on in and make a difference, it’s going to start with surrounding myself with some great people,” Yabu said. “People I trust, who are competent and passionate about developing young men.”

More:Check out all the honorees from The Star's Fall All-County teams

Yabu, who grew up on the same street as former Thousand Oaks running back John Lister and is close with former Lancers Alex Singleton and Richard Mullaney — who are now playing with the Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL and DC Defenders of the XFL, respectively — is tied in with the Thousand Oaks alumni network.

“My phones been going crazy in a way that I’m not really used to,” Yabu said. “There’s been a lot of support, a lot of positive energy. It’s a little overwhelming and extremely humbling. But I do feel supported. That’s for sure.”

Yabu was a versatile two-way weapon for head coach Mike Sanders at Thousand Oaks High from 2006-07. As a running back and receiver, he had 722 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns as a senior in 2007.

Get the Daily Briefing newsletter in your inbox.
Start your day with the morning's top news

Delivery: Daily

Your Email
He played both sides of the ball at Moorpark College for Jim Bittner from 2008-09, then played at Division II Lane College and briefly in Germany with the Fürstenfeldbruck Razorbacks.

He’s both played and coached in the Ventura County East-West All-Star Football Game.

Yabu coached the defensive backs at Thousand Oaks under Mike Leibin in 2014, a year before the Lancers reached a sectional final just four years ago.

He coached at Moorpark College from 2015-17, serving as both the special teams coordinator (2016) and offensive coordinator (2017).

Moorpark College football coach Michael Stuart believes the energy his former assistant coach will provide can help the turnaround.

“He will be able to relate with his athletes and communicates very well with all coaches,” Stuart said. “Players and coaches are going to want to play for Coach Yabu.

“Even when he was here at Moorpark, he always mentioned that Thousand Oaks would be a dream job for him. … (Yabu) wanted to be there since he started coaching.”

While the Lancers haven’t won a game over the past two seasons, Yabu hasn’t been part of a staff over the same span.

He has worked with Gamebreaker helmets the past two years and informally consulted Leibin, who is now the offensive coordinator at Camarillo High.

“Evan was a dynamic player at Thousand Oaks,” Leibin said. “I was fortunate to have him coach for me at T.O. and with me at Camarillo, this past season. I have never met a player who didn’t love playing for him. He will bring great energy and knowledge to his new position.”

As he steps back on the sidelines this year, Yabu is excited to bring “a new culture” to his former program.

“Football is community sport,” Yabu said. “There’s a lot of other names who are going to be part of this. It’s a ‘we’ thing.”