Club Spotlight: OC Coyotes

The FFF Club Spotlight series introduces you to the people behind the programs — the coaches and organizers building youth flag football across the country. This week we're in South Orange County, California, talking with Coach Mike Stachascz, founder of the OC Coyotes Flag Football Club, an all-girls program competing in some of the biggest events in the sport.

A Nanny Job, an Email, and a Coaching Career

Mike's path into flag football wasn't a straight line. He played two seasons of flag as a kid, but the sport hadn't taken off yet.

"It wasn't as popular at the time. So I mostly played baseball growing up. I'm like, well, that's kind of not an outlet to pursue. Then I went to high school, played lacrosse."

The reconnection came from an unlikely place: his mom was nannying for a boy who attended a flag football camp.

"I'm like, hm — so flag football is still a thing. I reached out to them via email, heard back two weeks later. They're like, do you want to coach a team? I said, sure. And ever since then, I've been doing it for probably four years now, almost five. And I absolutely love it."

Four or five years might not sound like long, but in a sport growing this fast, that makes him a veteran. His take for anyone still on the sidelines?

"You're too late. You should have gotten into it five years ago."

Starting the Coyotes

Mike coaches at the high school level, and it was through that world that he discovered club flag football. He joined his former coach's club team first — then realized he wanted to run things his own way.

"After a while, I'm like, this is not for me. I want to start my own thing, so I'm my own boss and my own schedule. So I'm like, you know what? Let me start a new team. And I founded the OC Coyotes."

The club launched with two teams. Today the Coyotes field a high school team and a 14U team, with a clear mandate to grow. They compete in high-level events across the flag landscape — the Showdown Series, USA Football events, NFL Flag tournaments, and more.

"Whatever tournaments are out there, I want my girls exposed to it."

That exposure is already paying off on the recruiting front. Mike pushes his older players toward college showcases, and the results are showing up: girls he's coached at the high school level are playing at the community college level, and one recently earned a scholarship to Warner University.

"I'm like, this is good. Community college players and now four-year schools. This is fantastic."

Champions for Life

Ask Mike about his coaching philosophy and the answer comes fast.

"My main philosophy when I coach is just building champions for life through the game of flag football. Academically, in sports, just everything — so they can excel on and off the field."

His ambition for the club matches that standard.

"My biggest goal is to be the biggest and best football team in the country. Have more teams, more coaches — and if we can be number one, that would be ideal. My main goal is obviously to let these girls develop, and then we'll go way up. It's baby steps for sure, but with time, who knows?"

Getting there isn't easy. Mike is candid about the two biggest challenges of running a club: keeping players consistent season after season, and finding coaches he can trust.

"I can't do everything myself. Some things out here drive me nuts — all they care about is greed and their ego. I'd rather have someone I trust."

He's just as candid about the business side. Chasing down payments is nobody's favorite job.

"I don't like to be a nag. I'd rather them just be charged out of the account automatically."

And to be clear — this isn't about the money.

"I'm passionate. It's not like I'm here for the money or anything. I'm here to grow the game."

"That Was My Super Bowl"

Every coach has a moment that sticks. Mike's came when his all-girls team entered a mostly-boys co-ed league.

"I started this all-girls team. I'm like, you know what? Let's just give it a try. And we beat this boys team twice — once in the playoffs with a game-winning touchdown. That was my Super Bowl. The girls were so happy. And the boys were just shocked."

"That boys team was going in there all cocky, trying to go deep against us, doing all these trick plays. We just took one play at a time and we came out and won. These girls — it looked like they won the lottery."

Advice for Anyone Starting a Club

Mike built the Coyotes despite people telling him he couldn't. His advice for aspiring organizers reflects that.

"Just go for it. If anyone says you can't do it, just put your mind to it. My former coach kind of doubted me. And as soon as I left, I started the team shortly after. I think he looked at me like — what did you just do? How did you start this? How do you have a team name already? How do you have uniforms already?"

"I think what helped is just my personality and the marketing on Instagram."

One quirk of the California landscape worth knowing: as a high school coach, Mike can't run club activities during the high school season under state rules. That's why the Coyotes' club calendar is built around a camp in early June, with the rest of the summer quiet.

"If someone finds out a player's trying out and I'm involved in it, I could get suspended for a season or two. So I'm just doing the first week of June, getting a camp over with."

Find OC Coyotes on Flag Football Finder

Families in Orange County looking for a competitive all-girls program can connect with the Coyotes on their Flag Football Finder profile or on Instagram at @occgirls_flagfootball. The club fields teams at 10U, 12U, 14U, and high school.

Exploring the sport for the first time? Browse girls flag football teams near you, check out youth flag football camps, or create a free athlete profile at app.flagfootballfinder.com.

The FFF Club Spotlight series features conversations with the coaches and organizers building youth flag football programs across the country. Want your club featured? Reach out to us on Instagram.