VIKING Coaches

Josh Perusse
Head Coach
Coach Perusse has coached football since 2010. He began as a volunteer coach at DeWitt High School while enrolled at Michigan State University. He began his coaching and teaching career at Walled Lake Central in 2013. He is married to his extremely supportive wife, Kristin Perusse, and they have two beautiful daughters, Harper and Sawyer. He became head coach in 2019 and has also coached defensive line, offensive line, safeties, and wide receivers. He is grateful to be on the sidelines for the Vikings and aims to help WLC’s players become better people, students, and athletes.

Jeff Penrod
Defensive Backs and JV Head Coach
Coach Penrod is in his 14th season as secondary coach at Walled Lake Central. Jeff has coached football, basketball and track for the past 30 years. He played college football at Grand Valley State University and coached defensive backs there as a graduate assistant. Mr. Penrod also teaches History at Walled Lake Central. Jeff has three beautiful children: Katie, Sam, and Joseph. He enjoys hunting and fishing and long walks in the rain.

Joe Boulus
Defensive Coordinator
Joe Boulus has been coaching High School Football for more than 40 years. He is in his second coaching stint at Walled Lake Central. Joe’s sons Michael (WLC 2011) and Matthew (WLC 2013) are also coaching along side dad and are members of the WLC Wall of Fame. Joe has been married to Janine for 33 years, and is the owner of DSB Marketing. He also is the Kitchen Manager at the Walled Lake Outdoor Education Center know as (Chef Joe). Hobbies include golfing, swimming and of course cooking.

Loren Connell
Offensive Line Coach
Coach Connell is entering into his 26th year of coaching high school football. During the school year, he teaches 7th and 8th grade science at Clifford Smart Middle School. In addition to coaching football, Coach Connell also coaches boys basketball at Smart. He is married to Christine Connell, who is a counselor at Walled Lake Northern High School. Together, they have twin daughters, Abigail and Madison, who are headed off for their freshman year of college this fall.

Matt Boulus, Offensive Coordinator
Matt Boulus is now in his 8th year coaching football and his second with WLC. Matt graduated from WLC in 2013 and graduated from Michigan State University and also attended Eastern Michigan University. He is currently a teacher in the Farmington Public School District. Matt also coaches basketball at WLC, where he is headed into his 5th year on the varsity staff.


Jim O'Brien
Running Backs Coach
Coach Jimmy O'Brien is entering his first year coaching football as the running backs coach. His previous athletic experience includes being a varsity soccer player at Walled Lake Central from which he graduated in 2013. While new to football, he is no stranger to the dedication and motivation it takes to build a great team on and off the field. Currently a real estate agent at New Michigan Realty, he is looking forward to giving back to the community that molded him and helping the players become better people, students and athletes - in that order.

Connor Nelson
Wide Receivers Coach
Coach Nelson is a first year wide receiver coach for the Vikings and alumnus of the Walled Lake Central Football program. He played wide receiver on the 2014 District Championship team with Jeff Prahl - who is also now a Viking coach. Coach Nelson is very excited to share his knowledge and experience with his Viking family.
Jeff Prahl
Linebackers and JV Defensive Coordinator
Coach Prahl is in his second season as a linebackers coach for Walled Lake Central. He graduated from WLC in 2015 and was a member of the 2014 District Championship team. Jeff currently works as an accountant after graduating with his master's degree in 2020. He is looking forward to another season helping the players and team grow.

Ben Weiss
JV Defensive Coordinator and Safeties

Colin Kerch

Devin Crimmins
Defensive Backs and Wide Receivers and JV Assistant Coach

Kevin Kwapis

Don Lipinski​
Varsity D-Line

Mike Bucata
Varsity WRs