Matt Mendonca was named College of the Sequoias Head Football Coach in 2024. He is also a full-time faculty member in the Physical Education Department. Mendonca was the team’s Defensive Coordinator since August 2022. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing all defensive aspects of the football program.  

 

During his second stint at COS, Mendonca helped lead the Giants as 2023 Golden State Bowl Champions. The team ranked 7th in the state in rushing yards allowed per game (79.5), and ranked in the top of the Valley Conference in Total Defense (280.8 ypg), sacks (14), and points allowed per game (22.6).

 

Mendonca joined the Giants staff after two seasons (2020-22) as Reedley College’s Assistant Head Coach and Defensive Coordinator, where he was responsible for all defensive aspects. During his time there, they finished amongst the top in the Valley Conference in yards allowed per game (302.8), points allowed per game (24.5), interceptions (12), and fumbles recovered (6). Under Mendonca, the defense saw 13 student-athletes transfer to Division 1 & 2 Universities, including 1 3C2A All-American First Team and 4 All-Valley Conference First Team honorees.

 

Mendonca spent 5 seasons (2015-20) as a Physical Education/English Teacher and Head Football Coach at Lindsay High School. During his tenure there, the program set 23 school records and qualified for the Central Section playoffs for 5 consecutive years, which is a school record. He was also named the 2019 East Sequoia League Coach of the Year. Before Lindsay High School, Mendonca was an English teacher and Defensive Coordinator at Tulare Union High School during the 2014-15 season. During his first stint at COS, Mendonca was the Linebackers Coach, Special Teams, and Recruiting Coordinator at the College of the Sequoias (2009-13). He helped lead the #1 ranked defense in the state in passing yards allowed per game (136.7) and the #1 ranked defense in the National Conference Football Association (#4 in State) in Total Defense (262.1 ypg). He produced 6 Division 1 student-athletes at the linebacker position from 2009-12. This included 5 All-Central Valley Conference honorees.  

 

Earlier in his career, he worked as an Operational Risk and Security Officer at Valley Business Bank (2007-14). Mendonca holds a Master of Sports Science with an emphasis on Sports Studies from the United States Sports Academy. He also has a bachelor of arts degree  in Business Management from Fresno Pacific University. He is a local product as he holds an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies from the College of the Sequoias and graduated from Tulare Union High School.