Monte Vista Christian School on Tuesday announced it hired 40-year-old Joe Sturdivant as the new head football coach just in time for the upcoming 2026 fall season.
Sturdivant replaced Spencer Ferrari-Wood, who spent the past three seasons at the helm.
According to a press release issued by the school, Sturdivant brings an impressive background of building successful programs at the high school, collegiate and international levels.
“Awesome opportunity to minister the young men and the families,” said Sturdivant on the “Mind of The Mustang” podcast. “It’s an incredible opportunity to build something pretty special.”
In his playing days, Sturdivant attended Parkview High in Lindbergh, Ga. and was a defensive back at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He played defensive back, wide receiver and linebacker for the USA Football men’s national team following stints with professional football teams in Austria and Germany.
Sturdivant’s coaching experience includes assistant coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., head coach at Parkview and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School in Georgia, and head football coach for professional football organizations in Europe.
According to the press release, Sturdivant coached 11 professional football players, including nine who reached the NFL while helping numerous student-athletes earn NCAA Division I opportunities.
“I enjoyed being part of building things, and investing,” said Sturdivant on the podcast. “There’s a way to do something, it’s just a way to go about winning programs.”
In Georgia, Sturdivant accumulated a perfect 52-0 record while coaching at Parkview and Rabun Gap-Nacoochee high schools.
Sturdivant said on the podcast he was the first coach hired at IMG Academy by former professional quarterback Chris Winkie, who served as director of football at the time.
IMG Academy is a renowned private school with the reputation of having the nation’s best facilities.
“There’s no magic wand when you talk about building a program,” Sturdivant said. “What are we going to do that’s different at Monte Vista? One, it starts with an attitude. Somebody’s going to hoist a trophy up at the end of the year, why not us?”
In addition to leading the Mustangs football program, Sturdivant will serve as a physical education teacher.
“We are incredibly excited to welcome Joe to MVC,” said MVC Athletic Director Dustin Mones in the press release. “He brings the experience and leadership to build a high-level football program, but more importantly he understands our mission.”
Mones added, “At Monte Vista Christian we believe athletics is a training ground for life. We are looking for leaders who will develop young men of character, competitors who pursue excellence, and teams that represent Christ well. Joe is exactly that kind of leader.”
Mones mentioned on the “Mind of The Mustang” podcast the school had upwards of 50 resumes submitted for the vacant job.
“We were blessed with unbelievable options, and in the end we found the man for the job,” Mones said. “Super excited, he’s a wonderful man of God who’s also a really well tenured football coach.”
