Frank Mazzotta is entering his 29^th season as the head football coach at Cerritos College. Over the last two seasons, the team has been hit hard by injuries and as a result, had their first back-to-back losing seasons in school history. However, the team is stockpiled with returning players who saw a great deal of action to go along with a deep incoming freshman class. During his tenure with the Falcons, Mazzotta has now guided his teams to 14 bowl games including 10 of the last 13 years. In addition to defeating Victor Valley in the Potato Bowl three years ago (and went 7-4 on the year), they played in seven of the nine Cerritos Strawberry Bowls, defeating Moorpark and Allan Hancock twice, along with Santa Ana and Orange Coast once. For the first time in the history of the Strawberry Bowl, the Falcons were defeated, as Saddleback posted a 35-28 win in overtime during the 2002 season. The Falcons faced the Raiders in the 1994 inaugural game, a 55-9 win, while Cerritos handed Moorpark a 16-15 setback in 1996. Then, in 1998, Cerritos upended a strong Allan Hancock team 35-21, before defeating Orange Coast, 31-17 in 2000. During the 2001 season, the team posted a 39-28 win over Allan Hancock. The Falcons have also played in the Avocado Bowl, Potato Bowl, Pony Bowl (twice) and the Orange County Bowl (twice). While compiling a 180-108-6 record (.625), 407 Falcon players have received scholarships to continue their education, which is perhaps an even more impressive number. Mazzotta’s career wins ranks him in the top 12 in the history of community college head coaches.

            During Mazzotta's tenure, many of his former players have gone on to achieve great success on the professional playing field. Most recently, Michael Bragg signed a two-year free agent contract with the Kansas City Chiefs, while Tuko Peko was signed by the Green Bay Packers. Bragg signed as a free agent with the New York Giants two years ago, while Peko was originally drafted by the New York Jets and has also seen time with the Seattle Seahawks, Indianapolis Colts (as a starter) and with the Carolina Panthers. They are joined by Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh, who will be entering his fourth year in the NFL and is one of their starters. In addition, Demetrin Veal, who was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons four years ago, will begin his third season with the Denver Broncos. Jason Lowe signed a free agent contract with the San Diego Chargers, but was cut before the start of the season. Other players who have spent time in the NFL that played for Mazzotta include Kareem Larrimore, a two-year starter for the Dallas Cowboys from 1996-97, Rich Camarillo (1978), Rico Smith (1989) and Broderick Thompson (1979). Mazzotta also coached Herb Welch (1981), who was a starter for the 1986 Super Bowl Champion New York Giants and Anthony Drawhorn (1985), who was the Canadian Football League Rookie of the Year. Also included is Mario Bradley (1994), who played with the London Monarchs of the World League of American Football and is also spent time with the Amsterdam Admirals, while Dione Tyler played with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. Other past Falcons and former professionals include Keith Dykes, Corey Kelley, Jean Boyd, Sidney Johnson, Jackie Johnson, Guy Teafatiller and Greg Williamson. There are currently 13 former Falcon players playing some form of professional football, while over 30 are coaches at some level.

            After graduating from El Rancho High School, where he was All-League and All-CIF, Mazzotta played in the Shrine Classic between the North and South and has since been named to the Shrine Classic Hall of Fame. Long Beach City College was next for Mazzotta, where he became an All-American tight end, played in the Potato Bowl and led them to the National Championship. Mazzotta received a scholarship to the University of Utah, where he became an All-Western States Athletic Conference selection and played in the Liberty Bowl. Mazzotta went on to earn his Bachelor of Science Degree in both Physical Education and Biology at Utah and then his Master’s Degree at Pepperdine University.

            Mazzotta started his coaching career at the University of Utah as a graduate assistant. After his stay in Utah, he returned home to coach at his high school alma mater, El Rancho. Mazzotta received his first head coaching job at Warren High School in Downey in 1973, where he turned a dismal Bears program around. In 1976, Mazzotta joined his high school coach and mentor, Ernie Johnson, on the Cerritos College staff. On January 31, 1978 Mazzotta was named the head football coach for the Falcons.

            Frank and his wife of 42 years, Helen, who reside in Whittier, have two sons, Frank Jr. and Casey. Frank Jr. was an All-Conference, All-State and All-American wide receiver for the Falcons in 1986-87, and received a scholarship to the University of Utah. Frank Jr. He spent five years as the wide receivers coach at Cerritos, one year at El Rancho High School and two years as the head coach at Artesia High School. He is now in his seventh year as the head coach at La Habra High School, where they won back-to-back CIF Championships (2003-04) after reaching the CIF Championship game the year prior and was named the CIF Coach of the Year. Casey was a two-time All-Conference and Academic All-American free safety for the Falcons in 1990-91. He received a scholarship to Brigham Young University, where he was an Academic All-WAC selection. After serving as a graduate assistant for the Falcons, he was named the head coach at Bellflower High School. After spending two years as the head coach at Foothill High School in Tustin, he his now the defensive coordinator at Fullerton College.