 | Head Football Coach Matt Collins Matt Collins is beginning his 6th season as the Head Football Coach at Hartnell College. In 2010, the panthers had 11 players sign scholarships, including All-American LB Kiero Small, signing with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Look for Kiero Small to start at fullback for the Razorbacks, but rumor has it, that he will also see time at linebacker. There are several other Panthers to keep an eye on while flipping your channels. Mike Milovale, Monterey HS (2011 panther) is battling for a starting position for the University of Hawaii (opener vs. USC) and (2011 panther) Nick Nunes, North Salinas HS, will be playing for Middle Tennessee State ( Sun Belt Conference). In reflection, it is well known that Hartnell College has had many successful years of athletics, and in particular the football program is well known for its winning tradition. “It is an honor to hold the position of head football coach at a school whose reputation of success is known throughout the country. At this time, the football program has seen tremendous improvements in a variety of areas. With the recent groundbreaking efforts on the field house project, we will be close to the completion of an overall facelift in our athletic department. Our athletic programs have shown an improved attitude of work ethic and commitment and it is becoming infectious around campus. With the support of our athletic director, Danny Teresa, and a solid group of coaches/support staff, we will continue to develop our student athletes into productive members of our community. It is our mission to mold our student athletes into responsible individuals and assist them to achieve a college education. Life is full of obstacles and adversities, and the game of football is full of similar challenges. As a coach, I have an opportunity to impress upon our players the importance of overcoming challenges they may be faced with while balancing their education, athletics, and other outside obstacles in everyday life”. “We intend to prepare each week in efforts to beat our opponents. Through hard work and discipline our players will be up for the challenge. Thank you for supporting Hartnell Football and we look forward to seeing YOU………….Saturday nights at “The Pit”. | |
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 | Justin Hansen – Defensive Coordinator We are excited to have Coach Justin Hansen on staff as the defensive coordinator for the Hartnell Panthers. Justin brings a tremendous amount of work ethic, a strong sense of football knowledge and a competitive enthusiasm that will lead our defense to victory. Justin graduated from Santa Cruz High School in 1995 and immediately began his football career at Cabrillo College. He was an All-Conference linebacker who transferred to Cal-Lutheran University. He continued his success at linebacker and was named All-SCIAC during the 1999 season. He graduated with a degree in Kinesiology from Cal-Lutheran the following year. Immediately after he graduated, Justin was hired by Cal-Lutheran as a linebackers coach. The job was only for 1 season as he continued on to play professionally for the Sioux Falls Storm of the NIFL (arena league). Coach Hansen hooked back on for 2 more seasons at Cal-Lutheran as a linebacker coach and then took a job at Chaminade College Prep HS as the defensive coordinator. In 2005, Justin was hired as the defensive coordinator at Cabrillo College, where he worked as an adjunct faculty member for 6 seasons. Over that period of time, the Cabrillo defense was known for tough, disciplined football and they were able to hold opponents to below average yardage and point totals regularly. Coach Hansen joined Cal-Lutheran for one more stint as the Linebacker coach in 2011, but through the recruiting process, we were able to offer him a position as the defensive coordinator for us, here at Hartnell! |
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Max Matsuhara – Offensive Line Coach Matsuhara enters his 8th season as the offensive line coach. “Coach Max” has done a terrific job teaching the offensive linemen technique and schemes. He is highly respected by his current and former students of the game. In addition to his service as a football coach he was on staff with the track program for 6 years. Prior to working at Hartnell he worked at North Salinas H.S. for 32 years as a football coach. During that time he coached North Salinas track & field for 15 seasons. Coach Matsuhara earned his Bachelor Degree from Cal State Hayward and attended Hartnell College. He played football at both schools. Coach Max helped prepare Carl Nicks (Super Bowl member of the New Orleans Saints) and has recently prepared Mike Milovale (U of Hawaii) and Nick Nunes (Middle Tennessee State U.) prior to their departures from Hartnell College. He has proven to be an authority in offensive line play and has started a tradition of quality offensive linemen coming out of Hartnell. Max has 6 siblings, 1 brother and 5 sisters. He has been a well known coach in our community for many years.
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Andy Watt – Running Backs Coach Coach Watt has been an assistant football coach at Hartnell College since 1990. He is a full time physical education instructor on campus and has been the Head Softball Coach since his hire. As a member of the football coaching staff, Coach Watt has served as an offensive assistant in several areas. He has been a receivers coach, quarterbacks coach and right now, he coaches the running backs. Prior to joining us at Hartnell, Coach Watt served as an Assistant Football/Baseball Coach at Gilroy High School for 1 year. He coached 1 season as a wide receivers coach at San Jose State and 8 years as a receivers/defensive back coach at De Anza College under his father in law, the legendary Charlie Elder. Coach Watt has his Masters Degree in Physical Education from St. Marys’ College, a teaching credential from San Jose State. His Bachelors’ Degree is in Physical Education from Long Beach State. Andy is married to his wife Kathy who teaches at Toro Park Elementary. The Watt family includes daughter Casey (who recently earned a softball scholarship to San Jose State U.) and son Corey, who attends Salinas H.S
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 | Gaspare Montante – Special Teams Coordinator/Defensive Ends This will be the 3rd season on staff for our defensive line coach Gaspare Montante. He has brought good football knowledge to our group up front and it seems that the players feed off of his serious and no-nonsense nature. Prior to Hartnell, he served as the defensive coordinator at Marina High School. Prior to coaching at Marina, Gaspare was the head football coach at Gonzales High School during the 2004 and 2005 seasons. In addition to holding these positions, Coach Montante served as the defensive coordinator at Monterey High School from 2001-2003. From 1999 through the 2000 season, he was the defensive coordinator under Joe Bommarito and Cass Jackson at Monterey Peninsula College. Gaspare began his coaching career at Monterey High School as an assistant coach during the season of 1997 and1998. Gaspare attended Monterey High School and graduated in 1994 where he received All- Monterey Bay League honors. He played for Monterey Peninsula College in 1994-1995 and was an All-Conference linebacker. Coach Montante went on to play football at Humboldt State University. He now resides in Monterey and works as a tile contractor for the family business. Gaspare and his wife Shayna are parents for the first time with the recent birth of their daughter Caterina.
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 | Gary George – Defensive Backs Coach/ Video Coordinator Coach George is entering his 2nd season as the defensive backs coach for the Hartnell Panthers. He relocated from Ft. Lauterdale, Fla. and has become a member of our football family and athletic department. He is an experienced coach that is eager to gather knowledge and share it with his group of student athletes. A graduate of Deerfield Beach High School, Gary went on to college as a student/athlete for Bethune-Cookman and then transferred to Weber International. He played two years (2000 – 2002) at Bethune-Cookman University and then to Webber International University (2005- 2007) where he played cornerback and strong safety and was Captain of Defense his senior year. He returned to Coconut Creek, Fla. and worked as a teacher/ football coach at Coconut Creek High School. He has brought a level of toughness and discipline to our defensive backs, which will contribute a more successful level of play from his group. This past season (2011) his secondary showed tremendous improvement from the prior seasons and they played a major role in the success of a bowl victory. Gary holds a Masters’ of Science Degree in Sports Management and is pursuing a career in the coaching/sports industry.
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 | Mike Phillips - Defensive Tackles Coach Phillips graduated from North Monterey County High and Hartnell College. He was an All-Conference player and named Defensive Player of the Year for the Coast Conference. Coach Phillips earned a football scholarship to Boise State University where he played defensive end during the 2000-2001 seasons. He started at defensive end and was a member of the 2000 Humanitarian Bowl team after winning the Big West Conference Championship. Coach Phillips finished with a Bachelors Degree in Social Science. While teaching and coaching at Alisal and North Monterey County High Schools, Mike earned a Masters Degree in Education from National University. Coach Phillips will be assisting his Alma Mater for the 1st time as a defensive line assistant and he will be a great addition to our coaching staff. Coach Phillips brings a great deal of knowledge, and his experience as a division I football player provides a great resource for our players. He was a good leader as a player and he has a great mind for the game. We are lucky to have him as an assistant football coach. Mike is married to Sabrina and they have two children. Their names are Michael (11) and Peyton (5).
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