Coach Joe Mendoza has been coaching football for 9 years and is currently in his 7th season with El Modena. He has served as the JV head coach for 5 years, achieving an outstanding overall record of 34-10-2 and winning 3 league championships. Alongside his JV responsibilities, Coach Mendoza has also coached varsity receivers at El Modena, producing 8 All-League receivers during his tenure. He holds a master's degree in athletics and coaching administration and is a dedicated PE teacher at El Modena. A native of Ventura, California, Coach Mendoza played college football at Ventura College and Willamette University. Outside of football, he enjoys spending time with his family and traveling with his wife, Kiersten. Coach

WR/DB Coach Santiago High School, Garden Grove With a dynamic background in both coaching and playing, Coach Merchant brings a wealth of experience to El Modena High School as the WR/DB Coach. A standout athlete during his high school career, Merchant earned All-League 1st Team honors as both a Defensive Back (2005) and a Wide Receiver (2006) at Santiago High School. Continuing his athletic journey, Merchant played at Santa Ana College in 2007, where he excelled as a Defensive Back as well as a Punt and Kick Returner. Further honing his skills, he spent time at ASA College in Brooklyn, NY in 2017, starting eight games as a Wide Receiver. Merchant’s diverse experience on the field, combined with a deep understanding of both defensive and offensive strategies, positions him to effectively mentor and develop the next generation of athletes at El Modena High School.