Monterey Peninsula College Selects Adrian Gallegos as Permanent Head Football Coach
MONTEREY, Calif. — Monterey Peninsula College announced today that the MPC District Board of Trustees voted to make Adrian Gallegos the permanent head coach of Lobos Football on May 27, 2026.
Gallegos has established a strong record of leadership, competitive success, and student-athlete development during his tenure at MPC. After serving two seasons as Offensive Coordinator, he stepped into the Interim Head Coach role during the 2025–26 academic year and continued to build upon the momentum of the Lobos football program.
Under Gallegos’ offensive leadership, Monterey Peninsula College emerged as one of the premier offensive programs in California community college football. The Lobos led the conference in offense in both 2023 and 2024. The 2024 team averaged 45 points per game, ranking second in the state and setting a new school record for scoring offense. The program also posted a strong 7–4 record during the 2025 season.
Dr. Marshall T. Fulbright III, MPC Superintendent/President, praised Gallegos’ contributions to both the football program and the broader campus community.
“Coach Gallegos has made a tremendous impact at Monterey Peninsula College through his leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to student success,” Fulbright said. “Adrian is the real deal. He not only talks the talk, but he walks the walk. He demonstrates his commitment to students both on and off the field, and I know he will leave a meaningful and lasting legacy here at MPC.
I am excited about what he will continue to bring to the College as he helps elevate
not only our football program, but our entire athletics department and the overall
student-athlete experience at MPC.”
Wendy Bates, MPC’s Dean of Student Services for Athletics and Health Services, added: “Numerous MPC players have earned scholarships and opportunities at NCAA
Division I programs and colleges across the country under Coach Gallegos’ guidance.
He is someone who continues to lead our players to new heights.”
Gallegos said he is grateful for the opportunity to continue leading the Lobos program and remains focused on building a culture of excellence both on and off the field.
“I’m extremely grateful to Monterey Peninsula College for believing in me,” said Gallegos. “MPC has a proud tradition, a passionate community, and tremendous student-athletes. I’m excited about continuing to build a program centered on discipline, accountability, academic achievement, and championship-level football.”
Born in Salinas, California, and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Gallegos developed an early passion for football, mentorship, and education. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies with an emphasis in Education from Sacramento State University and later completed a master’s degree in Coaching and Athletic Administration from Concordia University.
Gallegos began his coaching career at Alisal High School from 2014 to 2016 before joining Gavilan College in 2017 and then moving to MPC in 2018 to work under former head coach Mike Rasmussen. Gallegos later spent four seasons at Sacramento State University, from 2019 to 2022, working under then-head coach Troy Taylor, who is now head coach at Stanford University. During his time with the Hornets, Gallegos served in multiple roles, including Offensive and Defensive Graduate Assistant, Quality Control Coach, and Special Teams Assistant/Analyst.
Sacramento State enjoyed historic success during that span, capturing four consecutive Big Sky Conference championships and rising as high as No. 2 in the nation in NCAA Division I FCS rankings.
MPC is proud to officially welcome Coach Gallegos as the permanent leader of a Lobos football program that continues to establish itself as one of the top programs in California community college athletics.
Monterey Peninsula College - Established in 1947
Monterey Peninsula College, part of California’s public community college system, is an open-access institution committed to fostering student learning and success by providing excellence in instructional programs, facilities, and services to support the goals of students pursuing transfer, career, basic skills, and lifelong learning opportunities.
In addition to the scenic Monterey campus located on 90+ acres, MPC’s district includes the Public Safety Training Center in Seaside and the Education Center at Marina. As a comprehensive community college, MPC responds to the educational and cultural needs of its diverse community and is distinguished for its outstanding academic programs and strong commitment to student success. To learn more about Monterey Peninsula College, please visit www.mpc.edu and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.