Mike Moschetti looks to continue success at St. Paul as new head coach
New head football coach, Mike Moschetti on campus at St. Paul High School on Tuesday. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
SANTA FE SPRINGS – A three-week search for a new head football coach is over at St. Paul High School, with the official announcement of the hiring of former La Mirada football coach Mike Moschetti.
After the release of St. Paul coach Rick Zepeda on Feb. 10, who had been there for the last 10 seasons, athletic director Rich Avina and the staff have been searching for his replacement.
“It’s a complete and total honor to be able to coach here,” Moschetti said. “I remember coaching against coach (Marijon) Ancich on this field. I remember he was like this mythical creature. I didn’t know if I was allowed to go talk to him. Do I have to get on my knees and bow to him……”
Moschetti, who had the opportunity to go to St. Paul as a kid, continued…”I never thought that this day would come, but it’s a total dream come true.”
“We’re going to embrace all the cultures and traditions. I can’t wait to get these boys in the weight room and be able to be a part of this great school.”
They found the right man for the job, as Moschetti officially became the new head coach for the Swordsmen on Friday (March 3).
“Coach Moschetti possesses the knowledge, skill and character required of the head coach of our program,” St. Paul principal Robert Miller said. “He brings years of knowledge of the game as well as experience in coaching athletes who have gone on to compete at the college level and beyond. His successes and accolades speak for themselves.”
Moschetti was asked about his current La Mirada staff.
“Almost everybody from La Mirada is going to come over,” he said. “We’re in the process of meeting with the former staff from St. Paul. They all are welcome and going to have a spot if they want to. I think it’s important to develop a relationship with the old staff.
“We’ve got to gain these kids trust. I’m ready for the football aspect of it and I’m ready to meet the teachers, the students and truly become a part of this great school.”
Moschetti, who is a graduate of La Mirada, led the Matadores to their first-ever CIF-SS Championship in 1992.
Moschetti comes to St. Paul with many accolades, beginning in high school and all the way to college.
More than 70 student-athletes coached by Moschetti played college football at schools such as USC, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Alabama, BYU, Utah, Colorado, Texas Tech, Kansas, Army, Air Force, Penn, and Yale.
While at La Mirada in his first nine years (2008-2016) as head coach, Moschetti guided the team to multiple Suburban League titles. Included in those winning years was three CIF Championship game appearances.
His first championship was in his second year (2009) at La Mirada and with coach Ollie Lynch, as they defeated Garden Grove, 49-27 in the Southern Division game.
He won a second title in the CIF Southeast Division in 2015 and went on to win the school’s only state championship that year.
In his last season of his first stint as coach, the Matadores lost to Edison in the 2016 D3 title game.
Moschetti, after two years away from the program in 2017 and ‘18, has been coach from 2019 up until this past season.
While in college as a player, Moschetti was the quarterback at Mt. SAC and guided the Mounties to a state title in 1997.
The La Mirada alum then transferred to the University of Colorado for his final two years as a player.
A few years after his playing days were over, Moschetti began his coaching career at his college alma mater, Colorado, and began coaching the quarterbacks. He also coached at Mt. San Antonio College and Colorado State.
More Moschetti:
“We played St. Paul over the years when I was at La Mirada and I walked the campus with my dad and uncle one night and you could truly feel the spirit about the place.”
I remember coming to a game here with my dad when I was in eighth grade and I just fascinated with the culture, the tradition, the discipline, the toughness.
I took the placement test to come to St. Paul and didn’t score very well. I ended up going to La Mirada and it worked out.
When this opportunity arose, I wasn’t going to make the same mistake again and become a Swordsmen.”