Former Orange Lutheran Football Coach to Lead Cal Poly Women's Flag Team

Rod Sherman, who previously led Orange Lutheran's girls flag football program, has been named the first head coach of Cal Poly's new women's flag football team.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Cal Poly Athletics announced that former Orange Lutheran high school football coach Rod Sherman has been hired as the first head coach of the university's new women's flag football program. Sherman's wife Kristen, who previously served as Orange Lutheran's girls flag football coach, will join him as an assistant coach at Cal Poly.

Why it matters

The creation of Cal Poly's women's flag football program represents a significant step forward for women's sports, providing new opportunities for female athletes to compete at the collegiate level. Sherman's hiring brings extensive experience in building a successful high school girls flag football program, which could help Cal Poly quickly establish a competitive team.

The details

During his time as head coach of the Orange Lutheran high school football team, Sherman compiled a 65-13 record and won a CIF Division I championship. His wife Kristen also served as the head coach of Orange Lutheran's girls flag football program. In their final season at Orange Lutheran, the team had a 2-6 record after having to forfeit their first two wins due to the use of an ineligible player.

  • On March 4, 2026, Cal Poly Athletics announced the hiring of Rod Sherman as the first head coach of the university's new women's flag football program.
  • Sherman previously served as the head coach of the Orange Lutheran high school football team from an unspecified start date until the end of the 2025 season.

The players

Rod Sherman

The newly hired head coach of Cal Poly's women's flag football program, who previously served as the head coach of the Orange Lutheran high school football team.

Kristen Sherman

The wife of Rod Sherman, who will join the Cal Poly women's flag football program as an assistant coach after previously serving as the head coach of the girls flag football team at Orange Lutheran high school.

Cal Poly Athletics

The athletics department at California Polytechnic State University, which announced the creation of a new women's flag football program and the hiring of Rod Sherman as its first head coach.

Orange Lutheran High School

The private Christian high school in Orange, California where Rod and Kristen Sherman previously coached the football and girls flag football teams, respectively.

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What they’re saying

“This is a historic moment for women's sports, and we are eager to make San Luis Obispo a destination for elite flag football players and high-achieving students who embrace the 'Learn by Doing' philosophy while building a championship culture and pursuing national titles.”

— Rod Sherman, Head Coach, Cal Poly Women's Flag Football (Cal Poly Athletics)

What’s next

Cal Poly will begin recruiting players for its new women's flag football team, with the goal of building a championship-caliber program under the leadership of Rod and Kristen Sherman.

The takeaway

The creation of Cal Poly's women's flag football program represents an exciting opportunity for female athletes to compete at the collegiate level, and the hiring of experienced coaches like the Shermans suggests the university is committed to building a successful and competitive program.