Matt Villasenor has officially resigned from his position at Nogales High School to become the head football coach at Muir High School, a transition that signals a new chapter for both him and the storied program. This decision was made public on Wednesday, marking a significant move for Villasenor, who steps into a role at one of the top football programs in the San Gabriel Valley.
Villasenor expressed his enthusiasm about the opportunity, stating, “I’m honored to have the opportunity to coach at Muir. To coach at a place where Jackie Robinson played and to have games at the Rose Bowl is super exciting for me. I just want the community to know that I’m ready to get to work. I’m going to pour my blood, sweat, and tears into this.”
This new position comes after Villasenor’s successful tenure at Nogales, where he served for two seasons. He replaces Lance Mitchell, a beloved coach who recently left Muir to take the head coaching position at St. Francis High School. Villasenor’s appointment is notable as he becomes the first Hispanic head coach in Muir’s history and the first non-alumnus hired since Mike Riazzi in 2004.
Dr. Lawton Gray, principal of Muir High School, expressed excitement over the hiring. “We have a very strong alumni here, and it might be different for folks hiring a non-alum, but when people see what he can bring, and that he’s committed to the Muir community, he will be supported. It’s a great hire for John Muir High School and our students,” Gray said.
Villasenor’s coaching record at Nogales includes a 7-4 finish last season, with the team going undefeated in the Montview League before exiting in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 13 playoffs. His overall record at Nogales stands at 13-9 over two seasons, but his impact goes beyond just wins and losses. He is known for his ability to attract talent and maintain strong connections with college recruiters.
Before his time at Nogales, Villasenor served as an assistant coach at Bishop Amat, where the team advanced to the CIF-SS Division 2 semifinals in 2022. He also co-coached at Sierra Vista for two years and led the team to a league title in 2019, reaching the Division 14 quarterfinals.
### A New Era for Muir Football
Alfredo Resendiz, the athletic director at Muir, believes Villasenor’s reputation and experience will greatly benefit the program. “He’s an exciting hire for us, something new, a different mold of coach than we’ve had. He has a lot of connections, not just in the SGV, but throughout the country when it comes to getting kids to the next level,” Resendiz stated. He emphasized the foundation built by Mitchell, noting that if the current players remain committed, Villasenor will inherit a strong team.
Mitchell’s tenure was marked by success, winning a CIF-SS Division 10 championship during his first season in 2022. Under his leadership, the Mustangs improved their performance, achieving back-to-back Pacific League titles and posting a record of 36-16 over four years. In 2023, they reached the Division 7 semifinals and followed up with a Division 6 quarterfinal appearance in 2024, where they narrowly lost to St. Francis, 28-27.
Villasenor now faces the challenge of ensuring that key players remain with the program. The Mustangs have a promising roster, including junior lineman Jason Brown and two-way standout Deveon Blaylock. Other notable players include junior James Taylor and sophomores Noah Bozeman and Ethan Leyland. Arthur Moreno, who transferred from St. Francis to Muir, will also join the team next fall after sitting out last season.
“I’m going to work tirelessly to convince our kids to stay home,” Villasenor said. “This is Muir; it’s a special place. We have to convince the kids to stay in Pasadena before private schools poach them. We need to let everyone know the pipeline to those schools is closed. We’re going to shut it down.”
As Villasenor prepares for his new role, the Muir community anticipates an exciting season ahead, with hopes of building on the strong foundation left by Mitchell and fostering a winning culture.
