A former Falcon, Mark Schulist is entering his eight year as the defensive line coach for Cerritos College. Schulist will oversee the defensive ends and defensive tackles this year. While with Cerritos College, Schulist started all 11 games on the 1993 team that played in the Orange County Classic Bowl Game. After graduating from Gahr High, Schulist attended Whittier College and started for them at defensive end for one season. He then came to Cerritos and led the defensive line in tackles while earning All-Mission Conference honors and was voted the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Lineman and earned the Coaches BYA Player of the Year Award. He then moved on to the University of Hawaii before an injury ended his playing career.

Schulist then enrolled at Cal State Fullerton, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Physiology/Sports Management in 1998 and completed his Master’s degree in Physical Education from Azusa Pacific University. In 1999, Schulist returned to Whittier College as a graduate assistant strength and conditioning coach, while he also taught classes and supervised the George Allen Fitness Center. At that same time, he returned to Gahr High as the defensive line coach and head of strength and conditioning for all levels of football. Schulist is beginning his 13th year of instructing at the high school and collegiate level.

During his coaching career, several of his players have gone on to play football at the Division I level. Four players from the 2011 season have earned Division I scholarships – Fred Lavulo (University of Nevada), Alauna Finau (Kansas State University), Lawrence Lehauli (Colorado State University) and Sony Theodate (Northwest Missouri State University). From the 2010 team, Eli Edwards (Washington State University), Walton Taumeopeau (New Mexico State University), Jake Peppard (University of Nevada) and Fatu Ulale (University of New Mexico) have moved on, as did Deon Goggins (Syracuse University), Jeramey Cutler (Eastern Michigan University), and Darryl Johnson (Western Illinois University), who earned scholarships. From the 2008 team, Johnny Tivao (Texas A&M-Kingsville) and Ryan Davis (University of California-Berkeley) both received scholarships. Additionally, Matt Agiava played at Sacramento State University and Chris Slack is at the University of Nevada.

Schulist is also certified as a strength and conditioning coach by the NSCA, health/fitness instructor by ACSM and as a club weight training coach by the USWA. Additionally, Schulist is a head wrestling coach at the high school level. He and his wife Beatris reside in La Mirada.