Reggie Torres likely will be named head coach of Kahuku High School's nationally renowned football program today, according to sources contacted by The Advertiser last night.

Torres, who has been the Red Raiders' JV head coach for the past 15 seasons, would only say last night that he has "a great shot" at the varsity position. Kahuku athletic director Joe Whitford and principal Lisa DeLong could not be reached for comment last night.

But Byron Beatty, a former co-defensive coordinator for the Red Raiders and one of the leading candidates for the head coaching job, said DeLong called him Wednesday night to say he was not selected and that the job would go to Torres.

The position became open when Siuaki Livai resigned March 27 after 10 seasons and guiding Kahuku to four of the past six state championships.

Torres played football and wrestled for Kahuku before graduating in 1983. He wrestled at San Diego City College, then started coaching football, wrestling and judo at Kahuku in the mid-1980s. He works at the school as an educational assistant and has been head coach for boys wrestling since 1993, girls wrestling since 1998 and boys and girls judo since 1992.

The Red Raiders swept the boys and girls wrestling state championships this past season and Torres also guided them to state titles in girls wrestling in 2002 and 2003 and boys wrestling in 2004. He also coached Kahuku's girls to judo state championships in 2003 and 2004.

Torres said he was not told by Whitford or DeLong that he would have to give up coaching wrestling or judo should he get the football job.

According to Torres, there were 19 candidates, including Beatty and Doug Semones, who was Kahuku's coach from 1989-1995. Beatty said interviews were conducted Tuesday and Wednesday by a six-person committee that included DeLong, Whitford and faculty members.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.