Danny Mendoza returns to state as Rams’ new football coach looking to combine Jersey grit with Florida flash

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – Danny Mendoza has logged a lot of frequent flier miles between his playing and coaching stops in New Jersey and Florida. He hopes to inject the best football qualities of both states as his newest adventure brings him back home.

Mendoza was approved as Salem High School’s new head football coach Wednesday night. He succeeds Montrey Wright, who stepped away in February after eight years at the helm and back-to-back section titles. 

Mendoza, 33, spent the past two seasons in his back and forth sojourn up I-95 as the head coach at Wellington (Fla.) High School, where he posted a winning record and took a team to the playoffs that hadn’t been since 2018, but he is a true man of two states. He calls himself “Jersey-born and Florida-bred” and his football resume reflects that.

He was born in Jersey City, but grew up in Orlando. He played at Florida A&M, then transferred to Kean. His high school coaching trail included stops at Red Bank, Apopka (Fla.) – going to the state title game – and JFK-Iselin before getting his first head coaching job at Wellington.

Each state has a distinct approach to the way it plays the game and it’s Mendoza’s aim to bring them both together to keep the Rams rolling.

“Football in Florida is raw talent, raw speed and just dog mentality; it’s just so competitive,” he said. “From the bottom to the top, left to the right. The kids are hungry, man, because we don’t have a lot down there. As Florida guys, we always carry that chip on our shoulder.

“When it comes to Jersey, Jersey’s tough, man. Jersey kids are great, they’re gritty, tough kids, well coached. If you had to define Jersey football, I’m thinking bone-chilling hitting, sound football and tough, gritty kids. Then you get the glitz and glamour and the flash of Florida.

“We’re going to take the grittiness and toughness of Jersey and we’re going to put a little bit of Florida flavor and flash on top of that. I think you’re going to see a great product.”

Mendoza was one of three new coaches the Salem board approved Wednesday night. Former Rams player Dion Alston is returning as an assistant football coach and Shanna Scott has been promoted to head coach of the field hockey program after six years as legendary coach Donna O’Leary’s assistant.

Six months ago the new Jersey football coach “never would have expected I’d be named the head coach at Salem High School in June,” but the chips had a way of falling his way. The Rams actually had their new coach earlier in the process, but that candidate was active military and learned he was going to be deployed in September.

Athletics director Darryl Roberts posted the search on an AD’s website. It got seen by an administrator in Red Bank who knew of Mendoza’s desire to return. They reached out and after a series of conversations with some other Garden State coaching buddies Mendoza threw his hat into the ring and quickly rose to the top of the pile.

“I wouldn’t have imagined (getting a coach from Florida) at all, but his resume was very impressive with some of his experiences,” Roberts said. “We were coming down to the wire trying to find a coach and when he gave me a call it was just a blessing. It was great to hear.

“Obviously, he’s about academics and making sure the kids are doing what they’re supposed to be doing and, really, trying to create young men who can contribute to their community. He has a vision. He has a plan for the team … I think once he gets in and establishes his program we’ll be fine.”

Mendoza led Wellington to the FHSAA playoffs in 2021, transforming a team that was 3-7 the year before to 7-4. He was 6-5 in 2022. He oversaw the renovation and expansion of the Wolverines’ weight room and updated uniforms and equipment. During his watch, the team’s GPA rose from 2.8 to 3.3.

And he’ll fight for his players as evidenced by the intensity he has shown on the sidelines.

“It’s always the kids first,” he said. “Being a football kid growing up I know what football can do for young men, I know what football can do for young men in this type of community as well.

“I’m a product of a community similar to Salem City. I grew up in East Orlando and it’s not the greatest place, so you have to learn to get around and navigate to get out, so always putting the players first and giving them everything you can possibly give them within your means and ability is what I’ve done. If you’re going to ask kids to run through a wall for you, you’d better be running through a wall for them. That’s what I’m about. I’m always fighting for my kids.”

The Rams are still working on their schedule. They may wind up getting a Week Zero game, but as of now Mendoza’s first game back in Jersey is a big one – Camden in one of the Mid-Atlantic Classic games in Wilmington Labor Day weekend. 

He knows it’s a lot closer than you think.

“We’re behind the eight-ball four, five months,” he said. “I’m used to starting my off-season program second week in January. We’re having to get some stuff ready. Strength and conditioning is a big part of our program and you’re going to see a difference on that with what we’re going to with it with these guys and take it to the next level.

“We’re trying to make sure everything is good to go for these kids when they come back. We want them to come back to a different look to hopefully build some excitement and have them more productive, so we’re going to put our effort forth and make sure they have everything they need to go to get their summer work taken of because they are starting a little bit later than everybody else.”