Cal Poly Names Rod Sherman Inaugural Flag Football Head Coach
3/3/2026 11:49:00 AM | General, Women's Flag Football
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly Director of Athletics Carter Henderson has named longtime tackle and flag football coach Rod Sherman to lead the school’s inaugural women’s flag football program.
Sherman brings extensive championship experience at both the tackle and flag football levels. Most recently, he served five seasons as head tackle football coach at Orange Lutheran High School, guiding the program to a CIF Southern Section Division II Championship while competing in one of California’s premier high school leagues. From 2012-2017, Sherman was the head coach at Valor Christian High School in Colorado where he coached now 49ers star running back Christian McCaffrey and won three state championships.
Over the past three years, Sherman has also helped pioneer one of the nation’s most successful high school women’s flag football programs. As assistant coach and offensive coordinator at Orange Lutheran, he worked alongside his wife, Kristen Sherman, who served as head coach. Together, they built the program from the ground up, compiling a 65–13 record, earning national rankings, capturing a CIF Division I Championship, and developing athletes who advanced to compete in USA Flag and NFL Flag events.
“It was very evident that Rod and Kristen’s passion for transforming the lives of the student-athletes within their programs aligns deeply with the ‘Learn by Doing’ athletics culture that has made Cal Poly so special for so long,” Henderson said. “Their competitive drive, extensive coaching experience and entrepreneurial spirit make them the perfect fit to help us develop this emerging sport, and we are thrilled to welcome them as Mustangs."
Both Rod and Kristen Sherman have received national recognition for their work in flag football, coaching in events including the LA Chargers All-Star Game, the NFL Pro Bowl Showcase, and USA Flag Football competitions.
Kristen Sherman will join the program as assistant coach. In addition to her success at Orange Lutheran, she founded and currently leads the women’s flag football program at Santiago Canyon College. A multi-time league champion and CIF champion, she has earned multiple Coach of the Year honors while building two programs from inception.
“We are incredibly honored to join Cal Poly and partner with university leadership to launch the Women’s Flag Football program,” Rod Sherman said. “We want to sincerely thank President Armstrong and athletic Leaders Carter Henderson, Jackson Stava, and Ryan Weisenberg for their vision and commitment to expanding opportunities for female student-athletes. From the very beginning, it was clear that the culture of Cal Poly and the support of the athletics department is truly special, and we are excited to help build this program from the ground up.”
Kristen Sherman, who will be joining Rod as assistant coach, has been the head women’s flag football coach at Orange Lutheran since January of 2023 and the head women’s flag football coach at Santiago Canyon College since March of 2025, founding and starting both programs. She has been a multi-time league champion, CIF champion, and Coach of the Year recipient.
Ryan Weisenberg, who currently serves as Cal Poly’s Senior Director of Development for SEM and Student Affairs, will be joining Cal Poly Athletics as Associate Athletics Director of Development, and will serve as the sport administrator for the Mustang women’s flag football program.
“Ryan has been instrumental in the development of our flag football program, and I am excited that he will be joining our team in this newly created structure,” Henderson said. “His passion for Cal Poly, deep connections within the community and thoughtful leadership have made him an invaluable ambassador and I am excited about the expansion of his role."
This past summer, Cal Poly announced it would become the first school in California to add a Division I women’s flag football program, marking another historic milestone in the school’s history.
In January of 2025, the NCAA recommended flag football as an emerging sport and more than 45 collegiate programs have already announced their intent to participate. NCAA President Charlie Baker has stated that he anticipates the sport will achieve full championship status by 2028 — the same year it is set to debut in the Los Angeles Summer Olympic Games.
“This is a historic moment for women’s sports, and we are eager to make San Luis Obispo a destination for elite flag football players and high-achieving students who embrace the ‘Learn by Doing’ philosophy while building a championship culture and pursuing national titles.” Sherman added.
Cal Poly will hold a press conference introducing Sherman as the head coach Wednesday, March 4 at 9 a.m. in the lobby of Mott Athletics Center by the trophy cases.
