BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Following eight seasons as T.J. Kerr's right-hand man and helping direct all aspects of the CSUB wrestling program, Mike Mendoza has been named the third-ever head coach for the Roadrunners, effective September 1.
Mendoza takes over for Kerr, who, after 26 years at the helm of the program, will retire this summer. Kerr will remain a part of the program as a volunteer assistant coach.
“It has always been my intention for Mike to take over for me,” said Kerr. “He has been given more and more responsibility in recent years and I am confident that with his leadership, the program will continue the successes that we've had over the years.”
During Mendoza's eight years as the head assistant coach, the Roadrunners have compiled a 69-42 dual record good for a .621 winning percentage. Mendoza has also been instrumental in turning out 58 Pac-10 Championships placewinners, six Pac-10 individual champions, 38 NCAA Division I Championships qualifiers and five NCAA Division I All-Americans.
“I am extremely thankful for this opportunity and am excited to follow in the footsteps of two great hall of fame coaches,” said Mendoza. “Coach Kerr, Director of Athletics Rudy Carvajal and Senior Woman Administrator Gloria Friedman have expressed their confidence in me and I look forwarding to continuing the traditions of success both on the mat and in the classroom.”
Mendoza's tenure at CSUB began in 1995 when he earned a starting position in the Roadrunner lineup as a true freshman. As a sophomore in 1996, he placed fourth at the Pac-10 Championships. He was the Pac-10 runner-up in 1998 and placed third in 1999. One of 14 Roadrunners all-time to be named a three-time NCAA Championships qualifier, Mendoza concluded his career with a 76-55 record.
After receiving his bachelor's degree at CSUB in public administration in 1999, Mendoza took his first coaching job as the assistant coach at Adams State in Alamosa, Colo. Following the 2002 season, and after completing his master's degree in physical education at Adams State, Mendoza returned to his alma mater for the 2003 season.
In being named CSUB's third head wrestling coach, Mendoza succeeds Kerr and the program's first-ever coach, Joe Seay. In 26 years at CSUB, Kerr compiled a 239-141 dual record, won two Pac-10 Championships (1996, 1999) and five top 10 national finishes, including a third place NCAA Division I finish in 1996. The 1996 NWCA Coach of the Year and 2007 Amateur Wrestling News Man of the Year guided Roadrunner wrestlers to 27 Pac-10 individual titles and 29 NCAA Division I All-Americans. During the first 12 years of the program, Seay guided CSUB to a 184-55-2 dual record while winning seven NCAA Division II titles and crowning six Division I champions.
