There is going to be a local face at the Modesto Junior College football sideline this upcoming season.

Hilmar High School graduate, Rusty Stivers has recently been announced as the official head football coach for the 2015 year. The selection was approved Thursday by the Yosemite Community College District’s Board of Trustees during their May meeting.

“I am honored to accept what I consider to be my dream job as the head football coach at Modesto Junior College,” said Stivers.

As a 1990 grad from the home of the Yellowjackets, Stivers thrived as a two-way starter at running back and defensive back during his junior and senior years and was a member of the Hilmar undefeated teams during that tenure.

Stivers then went on to play at MJC followed by a stint at University of California, Davis soon after before returning to MJC as a running backs coach.

While at MJC during the 1992 season, Stivers earned All-State honors. He graduated from Davis in 1995.

During the 2000 season, Stivers took over the Riverbank program and led the Bruins to an 8-2 mark before finally returning for good at MJC in 2002.

“Our vision is to be a premiere student-transfer program for our local community,” Stivers added.

He was eventually named the offensive coordinator in 2006 until the May 13 announcement of his promotion as the job and also a full-time adjunct instructor of Physical Education and Health Education.

“Mr. Stivers is a phenomenal educator, visionary in the arena of instructional technology, and a fierce advocate for the academic success of student athletes," said Patrick Bettencourt, Dean of Physical, Recreation and Health Education at MJC. "Under his leadership of the football program, the entire athletic program will prosper and students will reap the benefits.”

The 'Jacket alumni replaces Sam Young, who was MJC's winningest coach with a 93-67 overall record over a 15-year span. Stivers had served as Young’s offensive coordinator since 2006.

Under Stivers’ coaching as the offensive coordinator, the Pirates’ offenses have averaged over 400 yards and 36 points per game.

In the past four years, Stivers’ offenses have ranked #1 in the entire state – over 500 yards and 40 points per game average.

“I cannot thank Coach Young enough for the opportunity the last 12 years to grow and develop under his tutelage,” Stivers said about his mentor.

“MJC's offense is one of the most explosive in the state. Rusty had to adapt, improvise and overcome last season with four different starting quarterbacks and still averaged 458 yards per game,” said interim Athletic Director Nick Stavrianoudakis. “That is 6th in the state. He is recommended by many.”