Football

Golden West head football coach Nick Mitchell took over the helm of Golden West football in 2006, continuing a strong coaching heritage of Rustlers football and cementing himself as one of the top coaches in community college football. 

Mitchell consistently transfers student-athletes to four-year programs with over 250 receiving athletic scholarships during his tenure. Additionally, he has coached eight conference players of the year, 32 all-region selections, five region players of the year, seven All-Americans, and two state players of the year. He also emphasizes the importance of the classroom, landing over 200 student-athletes on the SCFA Scholar-Athlete and CCCFCA Academic All-State Teams.

In 2023, the Rustlers strung together a seven-game winning streak en route to an 8-3 finish, 6-1 in the National Central – good for second. The record afforded the team a berth in the Beach Bowl against El Camino in a close contest in which the Rustlers came up just short, 22-19. Safety Marquis Brown was named All-America First Team, All-California Co-Defensive Player of the Year, and National Central League Defensive Player of the Year, joined by four others on the first team, including All-California First Team selection Nate Jimenez (WR), Daniel Viramontes (DL), and Jakari Embry (DB), and eight named to the second team.

The 2022 season boasted a 9-2 record, culminating in a 32-14 win over East LA in the Patriotic Bowl. The team held its opponents to single-digits in the scoring column in five games and fell just short of a second-straight league title in the regular season finale. Linebacker Jonah Laban earned All-America honors, while wide receiver Nick Kennewell, offensive lineman Trent Leicht, and linebacker Khilyn Neal were tabbed as All-California First Team. Overall, the Rustlers landed six on the National Southern First Team and seven on the second team.

Mitchell led the Rustlers to a perfect 10-0 regular season in 2021 coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic break, advancing to the SFCA Regional Final after routing College of the Canyons in the first round of playoffs and extending their winning streak at home to as many as 22 games. The defense led the state all year, allowing only 12 points per game, finishing the regular season ranked second overall in SoCal. Defensive back Codie Sauvao was tabbed the state’s Defensive Player of the Year with offensive lineman Ernesto Nava joining him on the All-America First Team. Quarterback Jake Retzlaff was named the All-California Region III Offensive Player of the Year, while Kennewell and Jared Johnson also earned All-Region honors.

The Rustlers finished ranked No. 11 in Southern California in 2019. The team was injury riddled late in the season, which left them just outside of bowl game contention. Despite the disappointing finish, running back Devon Jackson was still named to the All-California First Team.

In 2018, the Bell trophy stayed with the Rustlers after their third-straight win over Orange Coast. Golden West advanced to the Southern California Bowl, led by All-California First Team selection, defensive lineman VJ Malo.

Rustler football returned to campus in 2017 for a full season with arguably the toughest schedule in Southern California. While the team just missed out on a bowl game, defensive lineman David Siliuta was named to the All-California First Team.

Golden West football finished the 2016 season with a 4-6 record, playing its first game on campus to commemorate the 50^th anniversary of the college. The Rustlers started a new two-year schedule cycle after opening the 2015 season with eight-straight wins and earning the top ranking in the state during the season. The team ended its campaign with the Patriotic Bowl and a No. 9 ranking.

The Rustlers raked in the awards in 2014 after finishing second in the National Southern League with a 7-4 overall record and culminating in the Beach Bowl and a No. 13 ranking. Quarterback Chris d’Entremont was named the state’s Offensive Player of the Year with wide receiver Zimari Manning joining him on the All-America First Team squad. Inside linebacker Price Miller and free safety Jacob Anderson earned All-Region honors.

Mitchell led the team to a No. 6 final state ranking in 2013 with an overall 9-2 record and linebacker Anthony McNichols picking All-America honors, while being named All-California Region IV Defensive Player of the Year. Offensive lineman Izak Faoa, kicker Pete Marquez, defensive linemen Delroy Steele and Mark Savvao, and linebacker Kyle Haley all were named All-Region.

Defensive lineman Sese Lanu landed on the All-California First Team in 2012 to highlight another injury plagued season after finishing 7-4 in 2011. The Rustlers earned three All-California nods in 2011 after winning the Central Championship Bowl, led by offensive lineman Laau Asoau and defensive linemen Edgar Esqueda Michael Maguire.

Golden West moved up to the Central East Conference in 2010, finishing 6-4 and finishing No. 18 in SoCal after topping off the 2009 season with seven-straight wins to win the American Mountain Conference. The team defeated Ventura in the Orange County Bowl, 37-36, and finished ranked ninth in SoCal. Defensive lineman Dante Scott and linebacker Raheem Ivey were named to the All-California First Team in 2010, while returner Brandon Grissom earned the same honors in 2009.

In Mitchell’s first season at the helm in 2006, he led the team to a season-opening win before winning the season finale and the one that counts – the rivalry Bell game against Orange Coast. He continued to build in year two, with a 4-6 record before opening 2008 with a big win over preseason top-ranked Saddleback to open the slate. The Rustlers finished the season ranked No. 19 in SoCal with a 6-4 overall record, coming up just short in the American Mountain Championship contest.

COACHING EXPERIENCE

Golden West College (2006-Present)

• Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach

Humboldt State University (2003-05)

• Assistant Head Coach, Special Teams Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach for three years
• Guided the Lumberjacks to lead the GNAC in both punt and kickoff returns
• Developed two-time All-American Kyle Killingsworth at safety and kick/punt returns

Contra Costa College (2001-02)

• Defensive Coordinator, Defensive Backs Coach for two years
• Defense led the BVAL in total defense both years, holding opponents under 300 yards per game 

Humboldt State University (1999-00)

• Defensive Backs Coach for two years
• Recruiting Area: Bay Area
• Coached All-Conference selections Muhammad Muheize (S) and Kejuan Bullard (CB)

Eastern New Mexico University (1998)

• Defensive Backs Coach for one year
• Recruiting Area: California
• Coached All-Conference honorees Tony Cavalier (S) and Kenneth Drake (CB) 

Northern State University (1997)

• Defensive Backs Coach for one year
• Recruiting Area: California
• Coached All-Conference selections Gary Shaw (CB) and Ben Ellis (S)

Humboldt State University (1996)

• Started coaching career under head coach Fred Whitmire

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Humboldt State University (1994-95)

• Two-time NCAC champion at safety
• Led team to wins over NCAA Division I-AA powers UC Davis, Cal Poly, and St. Mary’s 

Solano College (1992-93)

• Two-year starter at cornerback under head coach Ron Beverly
• Led team to two BVAL titles

Hogan High School (Vallejo, CA)

• All-MEL at OLB and RB under head coaches Tony Kehl and Ed Sowash

COACHING RECORD

ALL-AMERICANS, ALL-REGION, ACADEMIC ALL-STATE

NOTABLE PLAYERS COACHED 

Updated 12/11/2024