Success Follows Pasadena City's new head football coach Robert Tucker
PASADENA - He had the Midas touch at first West Hills College Coalinga in 2014, then at Los Angeles Valley College in 2015-2016. Now, Robert Tucker hopes to do the same at Pasadena City College in being selected as the institution's 27th head football coach in the program's 96-year history in the sport. Tucker was confirmed as the Director of Football Operations, a full-time position, at the school's Board of Trustees meeting Wednesday night.
Tucker, 46, replaces interim, part-time head coach Steven Mojarro, who compiled a 15-15 record directing the Lancers from 2017-2019. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tucker's success at the California Community College level, compiling an impressive 30-3 overall record and three consecutive bowl championships during three seasons, was a driving factor in convincing the hiring committee to select him out of a list of strong candidates vying for the job.
In 2014, Tucker took over a West Hills program that was 2-8 the previous season and proceeded to coach the Falcons to the best record in WHC's history at 10-1, a co-Golden Coast League title, and allowing the Falcons to host their first bowl game in 32 years. West Hills and Tucker capped the year by capturing the NCFC American Division Bowl championship in a 24-14 victory over Yuba. Tucker was named GCL Co-Coach of the Year.
In 2015, Tucker decided to move on to accept the head coaching job at LA Valley College. Again, Tucker took over a losing program, one that had finished 3-7 and tied for last-place in the 8-team, SCFA American Pacific League in 2014. The coach directed yet another amazing turnaround in 2015 as the Monarchs went 9-2, placed second in the APL with a 6-1 conference record and then another bowl victory--a 42-27 triumph over San Bernardino Valley in the Golden State Bowl played at LAVC. That ended a 19-year bowl win drought for LA Valley.
In 2016, Tucker guided one of the greatest seasons in LAVC history as his team posted the school's first perfect record of 11-0 in winning the American Pacific crown. The Monarchs were the only undefeated team in the state that year and they capped an extraordinary season by winning the American Division Championship, defeating Southwestern, 24-16. Tucker was named APL Coach of the Year and CCCFCA Region IV Coach of the Year.
You have to go back to 2008 for the last PCC bowl appearance, a win in the Tremblay Services Bowl, and turn back the clock 20 years for the Lancers last conference championship--a 10-1 season in winning the Mission Conference title behind the PCC Hall of Fame and All-American duo of running back Jonathan Smith and quarterback Nathan Chandler.
Tucker now has the task of not only bringing Pasadena back to success but also returning the program back from a one-year dormant period due to the pandemic.
He has coached at every level of college athletics, serving on football staffs going back 24 years. In August, 2020, Tucker returned to his playing college as defensive coordinator/director of football operations for D3 Williamette University in Salem, Oregon but the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled its season. An opportunity to be a head coach again prompted Tucker to apply at PCC.
Tucker talked about what brought him back to the community college level. "I was very attracted to the leadership and commitment to establishing a premier program at PCC," he said. "The outstanding dedication to student-success combined with a great tradition, excellent athletic facilities, beautiful campus, and plethora of local talent presents a unique opportunity to consistently build champions on and off the field."
The veteran coach was clear on his initial goals with the Lancers program.
"The priority is to attract quality assistant coaches who are committed to the retention, graduation, and transfer of the extremely resilient players on this team," Tucker said. "The long-term goal is to build a consistent competitive program that develops our student-athletes personally, academically, and athletically. Ultimately, we will be striving for 100 percent of our players to complete their 4-year degree and launch into the workforce with an education and skill set that results in a fulfilling and profitable career."
In his three head coaching seasons at the CCC level, Tucker moved an impressive list of more than 90 players to the university level, including half earning scholarships to NCAA Division I-FBS or FCS colleges.
On recruiting, Tucker indicated that many high school seniors may choose the community college route more so this coming season. He said: "There are less roster spots available at the 4-year level this year. Most of the seniors at the 4-year level are staying to compete in the fall of 2021. So, those roster spots that are typically created through graduation have been significantly decreased for the incoming recruiting class."
Tucker had a tremendous 3-year stint as a defensive coordinator at UC Davis from 2017-2019. He coached an Aggies' defense that set eight school records, including season records for turnovers created, interceptions, tackles for loss, passes defended, and sacks. In 2018, UC Davis earned its best record in school history at 10-3, including winning the Big Sky Conference title while achieving a #7 national ranking in NCAA Division I FCS. UCD was 3-8 the season prior to Tucker's arrival and the program went 20-15 in his three seasons as DC.
He played football at Willamette from 1993 through 1996, where he later started his coaching career as an assistant defensive line coach for the Bearcats in 1997 and then Willamette's defensive backs coach in 1998.
After serving as a teamwork coordinator at the University of Oregon in 1999, Tucker became safeties coach and recruiting coordinator for NCAA Division I FBS Boise State from 2000-2005. At Boise, his teams compiled an outstanding record of 63-13 and won five Western Athletic Conference titles. Tucker guided the development of future NFL players in Quintin Mikell (Carolina Panthers), Chris Carr (New Orleans Saints) and 2010 NFL first round draft pick Kyle Wilson (New York Jets).
He moved on to become director of operations and recruiting coordinator at U. Colorado (NCAA Division I FBS) from 2006-2010. He held the position of assistant head coach at NAIA University of Sioux Falls (South Dakota) in 2010-2013. Sioux Falls advanced to the NAIA Championship Game with a 13-1 record his first season there and he later served as defensive coordinator when the school transitioned to a NCAA Division II program.
Internationally, Tucker was head coach and defensive coordinator for Les Molosses D'Asnieres, a top division French team in Paris, in 1998 and 1999. The Molosses reached the national finals in 1999. He finished with an 18-7-1 overall in his two seasons abroad. In 2015, he served as Team USA defensive coordinator as the American squad captured the gold medal at the IFAF World Championships.
Tucker played football at Willamette from 1993 through 1996, was an assistant defensive line coach for the Bearcats in 1997 and coached Willamette's defensive backs in 1998. While competing for the Bearcats, Tucker saw action as a safety and outside linebacker. He was named a CFA Academic All-Star in 1995 and chosen First Team All-Northwest Conference of Independent College (NCIC) as well as a NAIA honorable mention All-American as a free safety in 1996.
A Northern California native, he attended Grant Union High in Sacramento from 1989-'93, competing in the Optimist All-Star football and baseball games as a senior. He was also selected team captain in 1992, the year Grant won its first San Joaquin Section championship.
Tucker earned a bachelor's degree in psychology at Williamette (1997) and later finished his master's in physical education/athletic administration at Idaho State (2001).
Tucker is married to wife Oriana, and the couple has three children in Avery, age 10, Amelia, 9, and Alexis, 7.
The 2021 Lancers and Tucker make their debut on Saturday, Sept. 4 in a non-conference game at Cerritos College. It will be the first PCC football game in 22 months (since the 2019 season finale) due to the pandemic.
(Robert Lewis, Pasadena City College Athletics)