Mike played in the Smudge Pot Rivalry his junior and senior year at Bonita. As a captain of the 1979 team, Mike set up the winning play that led to the 10-7 win against San Dimas, thus bringing the smudge pot home to Bonita. After graduating in 1980, Mike coached football at Bonita for one year and then played football at Mt. San Antonio College in 1981. Mt. SAC’s football team was ranked fifth in the nation. Mike then played for two more years under coach Ronald Ortmeyer at the University of La Verne. It was there that gained a true respect for the game due to Coach Ortmeyer’s unique coaching style. Following his college graduation in 1985, Mike returned to coaching football at Bonita for five years. He then went to coach at the university of La Verne for 10 years.