Cal Poly Mustangs football
Encyclopedia
The Mustang football team is the college football
team of California Polytechnic State University
in San Luis Obispo, California
. The team plays its home games in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. The current head coach is Tim Walsh, who began his tenure in 2009.
('43 and '44) and resumed in 1945.
play for the Green and Gold of Cal Poly.
on Saturday, October 29, 1960 when a plane leaving Toledo Airport crashed killing 22 people. This included 16 Mustang football players and the team manager. The next seven seasons produced a 22-45 record. Then Joe Harper was hired in 1968 and produced a 7-3 and 6-4 season to end the decade.
to play for the NCAA Division II National Football Championship
. They would end up losing to the University of North Dakota
. The Mustangs would make it to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1978 before losing to Winston-Salem State. Each of the 10 Mustang football teams in the 1970s posted a winning season.
under coach Joe Harper. Cal Poly defeated Eastern Illinois in the championship game and would finish the season 10-3. The Mustangs would see continued success for the rest of the decade but would remain out of the playoffs until the 90s.
led the Mustangs to a 6–5 season. Coach Ellerson would emphasize defense and in 2004, linebacker
Jordan Beck
won the Buck Buchanan Award
for best defensive player of the year in the NCAA Division I Football Championship. Cal Poly would have two more players win this award: Chris Gocong
in 2005 and Kyle Shotwell
in 2006. In 2005, the Mustangs saw their first FCS playoff berth and a 35–21 win over Montana. 2008 would prove to be another exciting season for the Mustangs as they had one of the most productive offenses in the country. They went on to beat San Diego State as well as experience a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Wisconsin Badgers
. The 2008 Mustangs made the playoffs and ended up losing a shootout against Weber State. Wide receiver
Ramses Barden
was drafted by the New York Giants
. After the season, coach Rich Ellerson
accepted a coaching offer from the Army Black Knights
.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
team of California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University
California Polytechnic State University, or Cal Poly, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, United States. The university is one of two polytechnic campuses in the 23-member California State University system....
in San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo, California
San Luis Obispo is a city in California, located roughly midway between San Francisco and Los Angeles on the Central Coast. Founded in 1772 by Spanish Fr. Junipero Serra, San Luis Obispo is one of California’s oldest communities...
. The team plays its home games in Alex G. Spanos Stadium. The current head coach is Tim Walsh, who began his tenure in 2009.
Current coaching staff
| Name | Position | Years at Poly |
|---|---|---|
| Tim Walsh | Head Coach Head coach A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches... |
2 |
| Bryan Cook | Co-Offensive coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... Quarterback Quarterback Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line... s |
2 |
| Saga Tuitele | Co-Offensive coordinator Offensive coordinator An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... Offensive Line |
2 |
| Greg Lupfer | Defensive coordinator Defensive coordinator A defensive coordinator typically refers to a coach on a gridiron football team who is in charge of the defense. Generally, along with his offensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach... Defensive back Defensive back In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of... s |
2 |
| Juston Wood | Wide receiver Wide receiver A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible... s |
2 |
| Aristotle Thompson | Running back Running back A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running... s |
2 |
| Jamar Cain | Assistant Coach Defensive Line |
2 |
| Josh Brown | Inside Linebackers | 2 |
| Steve Cox | Outside Linebackers | 1 |
| Matt Crivello | Offensive Assistant | 5 |
| Pat Johnston | Defensive Assistant | 2 |
| Brandon "Cherokee" Valeria | Director of Football Operations | 1 |
History
Cal Poly will play its 91st season this fall. Football was first played on the Cal Poly campus in 1916. Cal Poly was still a vocational school at the time and did not become a four year school until 1941. In its 91st season, Cal Poly will look to new head coach Tim Walsh for continued success.1915 Through the 1940s
Cal Poly played mostly high school teams and college freshmen teams for its first 16 seasons. The Mustangs enjoyed their first undefeated season under coach Howie O'Daniels in 1933. The 1933 Mustangs also did not allow a single point during that season. Cal Poly officially became a four-year school in 1941 and posted a 5-3-1 record under Coach O'Daniels. Football was put to a halt during World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
('43 and '44) and resumed in 1945.
1950s
Under coach Roy Hughes, Cal Poly experienced their second undefeated season in 1953. In the decade of the 1950s, Cal Poly posted a record of 67-29-1. This decade also got to see bruising tackle John MaddenJohn Madden (American football)
John Earl Madden is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into...
play for the Green and Gold of Cal Poly.
1960s
Tragedy struck in 1960 following a game at Bowling Green State UniversityBowling Green State University
Bowling Green State University, often referred to as Bowling Green or BGSU, is a public, coeducational research university located in Bowling Green, Ohio, United States. The institution was granted a charter in 1910 by the State of Ohio as part of the Lowry Bill, which also established Kent State...
on Saturday, October 29, 1960 when a plane leaving Toledo Airport crashed killing 22 people. This included 16 Mustang football players and the team manager. The next seven seasons produced a 22-45 record. Then Joe Harper was hired in 1968 and produced a 7-3 and 6-4 season to end the decade.
1970s
In 1972, Cal Poly produced a 8-0-1 record and received a trip to the Camellia BowlCamellia Bowl
- 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita ....
to play for the NCAA Division II National Football Championship
NCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
. They would end up losing to the University of North Dakota
University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ...
. The Mustangs would make it to the NCAA Division II playoffs in 1978 before losing to Winston-Salem State. Each of the 10 Mustang football teams in the 1970s posted a winning season.
1980s
1980 would be the most memorable season for the Cal Poly Mustangs as they went on to win the NCAA Division II National Football ChampionshipNCAA Division II national football championship
The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion....
under coach Joe Harper. Cal Poly defeated Eastern Illinois in the championship game and would finish the season 10-3. The Mustangs would see continued success for the rest of the decade but would remain out of the playoffs until the 90s.
1990s
The winning continued in the 90s and in 1990, coach Lyle Setencich would lead the Mustangs to another playoff appearance before losing in the second round to North Dakota State. In 1994, Cal Poly would make the jump to Division I-AA (now FCS) football with coach Andre Patterson at the helm. The Mustangs would see instant success posting a 7-4 record. In 1997, Larry Welsh took over the program and led the Mustangs to a 10-1 record just missing the playoffs. Larry Welsh would follow that season with 3 3-8 seasons.The Rich Ellerson era
In 2001, first-year coach Rich EllersonRich Ellerson
Rich Ellerson is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the United States Military Academy, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Ellerson served as the head football at Southern Utah University in 1996 and at California Polytechnic State...
led the Mustangs to a 6–5 season. Coach Ellerson would emphasize defense and in 2004, linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
Jordan Beck
Jordan Beck
Jordan David Beck is currently a free agent for the NFL. He played college football at Cal Poly. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
won the Buck Buchanan Award
Buck Buchanan Award
The Buck Buchanan Award is awarded annually to the most outstanding defensive player in the Division I Football Championship Subdivision of college football, and was first given in 1995 after the Walter Payton Award was designated solely for offensive players.The trophy was named in honor of the...
for best defensive player of the year in the NCAA Division I Football Championship. Cal Poly would have two more players win this award: Chris Gocong
Chris Gocong
-Philadelphia Eagles:Gocong was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but missed the entire 2006 season due to an injury suffered before the preseason. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2007, where he started at the "Sam" linebacker position...
in 2005 and Kyle Shotwell
Kyle Shotwell
Kyle Wayne Shotwell is an American football linebacker who is a practice squad player for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was signed by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2007...
in 2006. In 2005, the Mustangs saw their first FCS playoff berth and a 35–21 win over Montana. 2008 would prove to be another exciting season for the Mustangs as they had one of the most productive offenses in the country. They went on to beat San Diego State as well as experience a heartbreaking overtime loss to the Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers
The Wisconsin Badgers are the collegiate athletic teams from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. This NCAA Division I athletic program has teams in football, basketball, ice hockey, volleyball, soccer, cross country, tennis, swimming, wrestling, track and field, rowing, golf, and softball...
. The 2008 Mustangs made the playoffs and ended up losing a shootout against Weber State. Wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
Ramses Barden
Ramses Barden
Ramses Barden is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
was drafted by the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. After the season, coach Rich Ellerson
Rich Ellerson
Rich Ellerson is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the United States Military Academy, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Ellerson served as the head football at Southern Utah University in 1996 and at California Polytechnic State...
accepted a coaching offer from the Army Black Knights
Army Black Knights
Army Black Knights is the name of the athletics teams of the United States Military Academy. They participate in NCAA Division I-A as a non-football member of the Patriot League, a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision independent school, and a member of Atlantic Hockey, the Collegiate Sprint...
.
Season-by-season records
Coaching history
| No. | Coach | Tenure | Seasons | Win | Loss | Tie | Pct. | Bowls/Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | D.W. Schlosser | 1915-17 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 1 | .563 | 0 |
| 2 | H. Hess | 1919-20 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 0 | .500 | 0 |
| 3 | Al Agosti | 1921-32 | 11 | 32 | 44 | 5 | .425 | 0 |
| 4 | Howie O'Daniels | 1933-41, 46-47 | 11 | 56 | 33 | 6 | .621 | 0 |
| 5 | Bob Dakan | 1942 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | .571 | 0 |
| 6 | Ron Henderson | 1945 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | .167 | 0 |
| 7 | Chuck Pavelko | 1948-49 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 0 | .389 | 0 |
| 8 | Roy Hughes | 1950-61 | 12 | 73 | 37 | 1 | .662 | 0 |
| 9 | Sheldon Harden | 1962-67 | 6 | 17 | 42 | 0 | .288 | 0 |
| 10 | Joe Harper | 1968-81 | 14 | 96 | 43 | 4 | .662 | 2 |
| 11 | Jim Sanderson | 1982-86 | 5 | 26 | 27 | 0 | .491 | 0 |
| 12 | Lyle Setencich Lyle Setencich -External links:... |
1987-93 | 7 | 41 | 29 | 2 | .583 | 1 |
| 13 | Andre Patterson Andre Patterson Andre Patterson is an American professional basketball player. He is in height. He currently plays with the Reno Bighorns.-External links:... |
1994-96 | 3 | 17 | 16 | 0 | .515 | 0 |
| 14 | Larry Welsh | 1997-00 | 4 | 19 | 25 | 0 | .432 | 0 |
| 15 | Rich Ellerson Rich Ellerson Rich Ellerson is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head football coach at the United States Military Academy, a position he has held since the 2009 season. Ellerson served as the head football at Southern Utah University in 1996 and at California Polytechnic State... |
2001-08 | 8 | 56 | 34 | 0 | .622 | 2 |
| 16 | Tim Walsh | 2009–Present | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | .500 | 0 |
| Totals | 1915–present | 93 | 445 | 353 | 20 | .556 | 5 |
Bowl and Playoff history
| Bowl and Date | Winning team | Losing team | Result | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camellia Bowl Camellia Bowl - 1948, Lafayette, Louisiana :The Camellia Bowl was a post-season major college football bowl game played at McNaspy Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana, on December 30, 1948 between Hardin-Simmons University and the University of Wichita .... Dec 9, 1972 |
North Dakota University of North Dakota The University of North Dakota is a public university in Grand Forks, North Dakota, USA. Established by the Dakota Territorial Assembly in 1883, six years before the establishment of the state of North Dakota, UND is the oldest and largest university in the state and enrolls over 14,000 students. ... |
38 | Cal Poly | 21 | Lost |
| NCAA Division II National Football Championship NCAA Division II national football championship The NCAA Division II National Football Championship began in 1973. Prior to 1973, four regional bowl games were played in order to provide postseason action for what was then called the NCAA College Division and a poll determined the final champion.... Dec 13, 1980 |
Cal Poly | 21 | Eastern Illinois Eastern Illinois University Eastern Illinois University is a state university located in Charleston, Illinois, United States. Established in 1895 as the Eastern Illinois State Normal School, a teacher's college offering a two-year degree, Eastern Illinois University gradually expanded into a comprehensive university with a... |
13 | Won |
Current NFL Players
- Ramses BardenRamses BardenRamses Barden is an American football wide receiver for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Giants in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
- Wide ReceiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Courtney Brown - CornerbackCornerbackA cornerback is a member of the defensive backfield or secondary in American and Canadian football. Cornerbacks cover receivers, to defend against pass offenses and make tackles. Other members of the defensive backfield include the safeties and occasionally linebackers. The cornerback position...
, New York GiantsNew York GiantsThe New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Chris GocongChris Gocong-Philadelphia Eagles:Gocong was drafted in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles, but missed the entire 2006 season due to an injury suffered before the preseason. He made his NFL debut on September 9, 2007, where he started at the "Sam" linebacker position...
- LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia EaglesThe Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League... - Jordan BeckJordan BeckJordan David Beck is currently a free agent for the NFL. He played college football at Cal Poly. He was originally drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the third round of the 2005 NFL Draft...
- LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Denver BroncosDenver BroncosThe Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
Current CFL Players
- Mark RestelliMark RestelliMark Restelli is a professional Canadian football linebacker for the Edmonton Eskimos. He was signed by the Eskimos as a street free agent in 2009 and played until he was signed by the Dolphins in 2011. On September 4, 2011 he was released by the Dolphins during their final roster cuts...
- LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Edmonton EskimosEdmonton EskimosThe Edmonton Eskimos are a Canadian football team based in Edmonton, Alberta. They currently play in the West Division of the Canadian Football League . Edmonton is currently the third-youngest franchise in the CFL, although there were clubs with the name Edmonton Eskimos as early as 1895... - Marty Mohamed - LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, Hamilton Tiger Cats
Other Notable Players
- Mel KaufmanMel KaufmanMelvin Kaufman was an American football linebacker in the National Football League who played his entire eight-year career with the Washington Redskins...
- LinebackerLinebackerA linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
, winner of two Super BowlSuper BowlThe Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
rings and Captain of the Washington RedskinsWashington RedskinsThe Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,... - John MaddenJohn Madden (American football)John Earl Madden is a former American professional football player in the National Football League, a former Super Bowl-winning head coach with the Oakland Raiders in the American Football League and later the NFL, and a former color commentator for NFL telecasts. In 2006, he was inducted into...
- Head CoachHead coachA head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
, NFL Hall of Fame