Former NFL coach Steve Mooshagian enters his first year as the head football coach of an esteemed program in Ventura College.

Over the past years Ventura has been dominant in the JC level and starts off the season being ranked 13 overall in California and a heavy favorite to win the National Northern Conference.

Mooshagian plans to keep the tradition of winning at Ventura.

“First and foremost you must recruit quality student athletes both locally and a few from out of district/state, but focus on Ventura County’s fine football programs,” said Mooshigian. “Then develop their skills both on the field and in the classroom, you must have structure, be fair and have fun doing it.”

Mooshagian has spent four years in the NFL coaching the Cincinnati Bengals in 2001 and has coached players Chad Ochocinco, T.J Houshmandzadeh, and Peter Warrick.

Mooshagian has also coached at Nevada as their offensive coordinator in 1996 and then left for Pittsburgh in 1997-1998.

Mooshagian coached at Sacramento State for four years and then left for the University of San Diego where he was the assistant head coach, with San Diego going on to win the NCAA 1 CS.

“The NFL was a great experience,” sad Mooshigan. “It was like earning your doctorate in football knowledge. I enjoyed it but have always loved the JC level, I feel like we (our staff) can make a positive difference in our athletes lives.”

Mooshagian is looking forward to this up and coming season as well.

“We are excited and guardedly optimistic. We have a very challenging schedule, but we will take it one game at a time. Our focus is on us, as long as we compete, execute and finish we will have a successful season,” said Coach Mooshagian.