Longtime Venice High Football Coach Angelo Gasca Dies

Gasca led the Gondoliers program for 26 seasons and helped over 100 players reach college football.

Mar. 17, 2026 at 3:22pm

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Angelo Gasca, a beloved high school football coach who led the Venice High School program for 26 seasons, has passed away at the age of 62 according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. Gasca was a special education teacher and coach who helped countless students and players find their way in life. He led the Gondoliers to a City Section title in 2021, the first championship in his tenure.

Why it matters

Gasca was a pillar of the Venice community and a mentor to generations of players. He turned down opportunities to coach at private schools across Los Angeles because he couldn't turn his back on the Venice program and community that needed him. Gasca's passing is a major loss for the school and the local football community that he served for over three decades.

The details

Gasca stepped down as Venice High's head coach this past fall after nearly two decades leading the program. During his time as an assistant and head coach, the Gondoliers produced several top quarterbacks who went on to play at the Division I college level, including J.P. Losman, Robbie Blosser, and the Diamont brothers. In his final season, Gasca led Venice to a 6-5 regular season record and a playoff win before the team was eliminated.

  • Gasca passed away on Monday, March 16, 2026.
  • Gasca stepped down as Venice High's head coach this past fall after 26 seasons leading the program.
  • Gasca led Venice to a City Section title in 2021, the first championship in his tenure.

The players

Angelo Gasca

A longtime high school football coach who led the Venice High School program for 26 seasons, winning a City Section title in 2021.

J.P. Losman

A former quarterback at Venice High who was a Parade All-American in 1999 before signing with UCLA and later being drafted in the first round by the Buffalo Bills in the 2004 NFL Draft.

Robbie Blosser

A former Venice High player who went on to play college football at Rice University.

Luca Diamont

A former Venice High player who went on to play college football at Duke University.

Zander Diamont

A former Venice High player who went on to play college football at Indiana University.

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What they’re saying

“He was a special education teacher and coach. He helped countless students and players find their way in life. As I write this, I'm crying.”

— Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times Reporter (Los Angeles Times)

“Struggling to write or think anything coherent upon reading this. I spent almost a decade of my most formative years with Coach Gasca. Angelo is one of the greatest men I've ever known. He gave his life to developing young men of challenging circumstances. He rejected many opportunities to coach at private schools across LA because he couldn't turn his back on Venice. He was a Gondo through and through.”

— Zander Diamont (Twitter)

What’s next

The Venice High School community is planning a memorial service to celebrate Gasca's life and legacy in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Coach Gasca's unwavering commitment to the Venice High football program and community over his 35-year career left an indelible mark on generations of players. His passing is a profound loss, but his impact as a mentor and role model will continue to inspire those he coached for years to come.