2023-24 COACHING STAFF

Head Coach Jason Gray

High School: Valencia
College/Degree: Cal State Fullerton/History
Teaches: Social Science

On behalf of the Valencia Tigers players and our coaching staff, I would like to thank you for the 2022 football season. Our players worked diligently in the weight room and on the field. The 2022 season was a challenging one for the Tigers with another tough schedule. The Tigers non-league schedule opened with home games versus Fountain Valley from the Sunset League and Laguna Hills. We traveled to Brea and El Dorado before facing West Covina at home. The Tigers then began Empire League play. We played Tustin and Kennedy at home and traveled to play Pacifica, Crean Lutheran, and Cypress.

The Valencia Tigers football team would like to thank the VHS community of parents, boosters, alumni, cheer squad, band, faculty, and administration for their support and contributions. As a result, we can continue to improve our facilities and equipment to better prepare our athletes. Thank you for coming out to encourage our 2022 squad.

Coach Fred DiPalma - Offensive Coordinator

High School: Santiago
College/Degree: Cal State Fullerton/Physical Ed
Teaches: Retired
Coaching Experience: 46 years (Second year back at VHS)
Most Memorable VHS Football Moment: CIF championship in 1987.
Favorite Quote: “Number one: I’d rather be taming lions than pushing elephants. Number two: best job I ever had.”
Favorite Team & Athlete: Valencia Tigers

Coach Matt Mahoney - Defensive Coordinator

High School: Villa Park
College/Degree: Cal State Fullerton/Kinesiology
Teaches: PE
Coaching Experience: 22 years (15 years at VHS)
Favorite Quote: “It’s not the will to win that matters. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” – Paul “Bear” Bryant
Favorite Team & Athlete: New England Patriots

Coach Anthony Negron

High School: San Jacinto & Oceanside
College/Degree: Cal Poly Pomona
Coaching Experience: 5 years (2 years at VHS)
Favorite Quote: “You are what you put on film.”
Favorite Team & Athlete: Anything North Carolina

Coach David Quintero

High School: Valencia
College/Degree: Cal State Fullerton/Business Administration
Teaches: Special Education Math
Coaching Experience: 18 years (18 years at VHS)
Most Memorable VHS Football Moment: As a player in 1991 winning the CIF Championship and completing a perfect 14-0 season.
Favorite Quote: “Every Goal has its Obstacles, Some are Minor, Some are Extreme, When you conquer each Obstacle, You achieve more than a Goal, You achieve Greatness.” – Billy Mills
Favorite Team & Athlete: LA Rams & Eric Dickerson

Coach Shawn Racobs

High School: Valencia
College/Degree: Sonoma State & Chapman University/History
Teaches: PE
Coaching Experience: 26 years (19 years at VHS)
Most Memorable VHS Football Moment: Coaching my oldest son and making it to the 2005 CIF Championship.
Favorite Quote: “Fear profits the Man Nothing.” - Herger the Joyous
Favorite Team & Athlete: Chargers & Junior Seau

Coach Jonathan Talamoni

High School: Valencia
Coaching Experience: 7 years (5 years at VHS)
Most Memorable VHS Football Moment: Going from 1-9 Junior year to 8-4 Senior year and making the second round of the CIF Playoffs.
Favorite Quote: “You get what you give.” - Grandpa
Favorite Teams: UCLA Bruins, LA Rams, Anaheim Angels

Coach Jay Word

High School: Kalaheo (Hawaii)
College/Degree: University of Hawaii/Political Science & History
Coaching Experience: 11 years (3 years at VHS)
Most Memorable VHS Football Moment: My first win as a Tiger!
Favorite Quote: “Do or do not, there is no try.” – Yoda
Favorite Team & Athlete: Pittsburgh Steelers & Troy Polamalu

Coach Anthony Draft

Freshman Head Coach

Coach Rick Burning

Freshman Assistant Coach

Coach John German

Freshman Assistant Coach

Coach Scott Steele

Freshman Assistant Coach