9U Head Coach: Ben Nussbaum
11U Head Coach: Rod Jones
12U Blue – Head Coach: James Anderson
12U White – Head Coach: Michael Jones
13U Blue – Head Coach: Connor Barbato
13U White – Head Coach: Ron Whiddon
14U Head Coach: Joe Lewis
9U Head Coach: Ben Nussbaum
Coach Ben is a dedicated youth football coach with a passion for developing young talent. With a wealth of experience working with players as young as 7 years old, Coach Ben understands the importance of fostering a love for the game and instilling fundamental skills early on.
Coach Ben believes in the power of sports to teach valuable life lessons and is committed to helping young athletes develop character, resilience, and a strong work ethic. His goal is not only to develop skilled football players but also to nurture confident, well-rounded individuals who will excel in all areas of their lives.
Ben was the Head Coach of the Rancho Bernardo 9U Broncos in 2023 and is looking forward to another successful season with RB Pop Warner.
11U Head Coach: Rod Jones
Bio coming soon!
12U Blue – Head Coach: James Anderson
Coach James comes to Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner with a wealth of coaching experience under his belt. He most recently served as the Offensive Coordinator for the 12U Rancho Bernardo Broncos last season. Additionally, he possesses an array of youth coaching experience that spans over 15 years, holding multiple coaching roles with NFL Flag Football, Little League Baseball, USA Girls Softball and American Youth Soccer Organization. His experience ranges across multiple levels of competition including Recreational, All-Star, and competitive Travel Ball.
As a seasoned coach dedicated to player development, Coach James believes that the cornerstone of success for any sports team is building the skills and abilities of each individual team member. His inclusive coaching philosophy revolves around the fundamental idea that if you focus on player development, winning will follow.
Coach James possesses a strong foundation in football. He played four years of high school in Omaha, Nebraska at Millard South High School. He then moved on to play four years of college football at Dana College in Blair, Nebraska. Ultimately, he was able to play at the professional level with a two-year stint in the Indoor Football League with the Madison Mad Dogs arena football team in Madison, Wisconsin.
Coach James is thrilled to have the opportunity to remain a part of the Broncos family as head coach of the 12U Blue team. He is extremely excited about the opportunity to further develop players for future opportunities in football and sharing his expertise with them, their families, and fellow coaches in the league.
12U White – Head Coach: Michael Jones
Coach Michael Jones (MJ) has been coaching youth sports for over 20 years. Last season he most recently served as an Assistant Coach on the 11U Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner team. Additionally, he has been the head coach for numerous flag football, soccer, basketball and baseball teams. Prior to that MJ was a Varsity basketball head coach at the high school level for 12 years.
MJ’s primary focus with youth sports coaching is to develop the character of each player. Wins and losses will come and go, but the foundation for the development of a successful youth player begins with the understanding that how they react to adversity is far more important than just achieving the next stat and posting it on social media.
The values he learned through youth sports have undoubtedly facilitated his skills as an adult. His goal will be to continue to encourage the growth of each player in all three areas of sports – character, skill and effort. Looking forward to a great 2024 Season.
13U Blue- Head Coach: Connor Barbato
Coach Connor has over 15 years of football experience from Pop Warner, continuing through the collegiate level at UCLA. He most recently served as the Defensive Coordinator for the 12U Rancho Bernardo Broncos last season. He is highly accomplished and respected in the world of football.
Known for his strategic mindset, leadership skills, and ability to motivate players, Connor has led his teams to multiple conference championships and playoff appearances throughout his time playing. His innovative offensive schemes and aggressive defensive strategies have earned him praise from colleagues and opponents alike.
Connor’s coaching philosophy is centered around discipline, hard work, a relentless pursuit of excellence, and above all love for the game. He instills a winning mindset in his players, pushing them to reach their full potential both on and off the field.
Coach Connor is very much looking forward to remaining a part of the Broncos family as Head Coach of the 13U Blue team. He is extremely excited about the opportunity to further develop players for future opportunities, as well as share his expertise and love of football.
13U White – Head Coach: Ron Whiddon
Ron has been coaching multiple sports in the Del Sur area for the last 11 years and is passionate about coaching youth sports. He has coached both his sons through Pop Warner football, Little League, soccer and basketball. He most recently Head Coached last year’s 13U White team and is looking forward to another great season with Rancho Bernardo Pop Warner.
Coach Ron is a California kid who moved south to San Diego in the early 90’s and is married with two sons, Caden and Connor. The entire family are sports fanatics.
Ron takes great pride in watching his players challenge themselves and grow as players and teammates. He thrives to create a culture of teamwork and support that gives players the best chance to be all they can be. Ron believes through a good attitude and hard work; any player can succeed and have a positive impact on the team and their teammates.
14U – Head Coach: Joe Lewis
Coaching Profile and History
I have been coaching sports and youth sports for more than 30 years. I have a love for youth sports and
the benefits that it provides early in life. It has been my privilege to be the Head Coach for the 10U,
12U, 13U, and now 14U RBPW teams. Playing football in Lake Arrowhead Pop Warner as a youth and
then at Rim of the World High School solidified my love for the sport. I have divided that love between
baseball and football as I have coached all three of my sons’ sports teams. Our family has been active in
the RB Pop Warner organization since moving here in 2017. I look forward to coaching in the RB system
again and continuing to learn from this great organization. Happy 50th Year Rancho Bernardo
Pop-Warner!
- 3 years North San Antonio Little League AAA Dodgers
- 2 years Lake Arrowhead Pop Warner Mighty-Mite & Junior Peewee receivers & defensive backs coach.
- 2 years Carlsbad American Flag Football 9U & 10U Head Coach
- 9 seasons Co-ed Division A North County Softball player-coach
- 1 season Fall Ball Asst. Coach AAA RB Little League.
- 1 Season AAA Little League asst. coach.
- 1 Season of 10U, 12U, and 13U as Head Coach.
Coaching Philosophy
- Safety is paramount and can be more important in contact sports.
- Every team member has value and gets the opportunity to play at practice and in games.
- Developing, teaching, and promoting a safe appreciation for the game.
- Advancing the limited contact practice and the Hawk tackling technique.
- Developmental approach to learning football skills.
- Every team member is taught and developed as a player.
- Develop team-building opportunities with shared successes.
- Teach the RB league approach to plays and game plans.
- Ensure a love for football through success, for the team and the individual.
- Always remember the players are kids and we have a limited opportunity for a positive impact on them.
Work and Professional Qualifications
- Project Superintendent for Buffalo Construction Inc.
- Site Safety Health Officer
- EM 385 Safety Certified
- CPR trained & AED certified.
- Advanced First Aid trained.
- National Little League Concussion and Heat Stroke trained in 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024.
- USA Football Concussion and Heat Stroke Trained 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024
- Former MICU Para-Medic Gonzales County EMS
