Bio

Twitter @Coach_Dags

Prior to joining De Anza, D’Agostino was a full-time faculty member/coach at College of the Sequoias in Visalia from 2012-2021. He served as the Giants’ interim head football coach during the 2018-2020 seasons.

His nearly two decades in the California community college system also includes coaching and teaching assignments at Reedley College, Merced College, and West Hills College-Coalinga – working in a variety of roles, including offensive coordinator, defensive coordinator, recruiting coordinator, and assistant head coach.

BEYOND THE GAME

Six of his former student-athletes played in the NFL – including three recent stars in the league: CB Steven Nelson (Kansas City Chiefs/Houston Texans/Philadelphia Eagles), CB Robert Jackson (Baltimore Ravens/Cleveland Browns), and first-round draft pick DT Sheldon Richardson (Minnesota Vikings).

Jackson visited De Anza College during the 2025 season and spent two days with the team, including a home game.

Under D’Agostino's tutelage, 30 student-athletes have earned Junior College All-American status. He recruited and coached the National Player of the Year in 2008 (Reedley QB/WR, Darius Reynolds) and 2019 (Sequoias DE, Noah Wright).

D’Agostino was a valuable member of the COS Physical Education Division.

He served on several campus committees, including Equity; Outcomes & Assessment; Essential Learning Initiative; and Scholarship (co-chair).

As one of the senior tenured faculty members in the division, he also helped with college Accreditation and department Program Review (authored Athletics; and co-authored Health & Wellness). His curriculum work includes course development in Athletic Support and Sport Theory.

D’Agostino was also involved with efforts in outreach and fundraising. His experience at COS implementing a Student Mentor program within the athletic department – which also housed a Student Success Center – helped redesing DA's FAST program.

Out of high school, D’Agostino entered Fresno State (originally to play football) however, during his first year, he was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. This form of leukemia ultimately led to his withdraw from school. He was able to fully recover and return to his full-time education nearly two years later.

He enrolled at the University of Massachusetts and earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Management. He was a member of the UMass water polo team that advanced to the 1996 NCAA Championship Tournament.

In 2010, D’Agostino earned his master’s degree in Kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University.

While at UMass, D’Agostino completed an internship with the Boston Celtics (in a variety of roles) – and later with the Sacramento Kings (equipment and scouting). He also attended law school (2001-02) at Lincoln Law School in Sacramento – before his journey started in community college.

D’Agostino and his wife, Nadia, reside in Hanford with their daughter, Sofia and son, Luca.

Quotes from Coaches & Former Student-Athletes

Robert Jackson (CB for Baltimore Ravens) ... "Coach D saw potential in me that no one else saw. He is that coach who changed my life. Under his teaching and guidance I was able to elevate not onl my play, but my academic performance. I'm now a proud first-generation college graduate and pursuing my master's degree. I seek his advice regularly. He's more than a coach for me and our connection is as strong as ever."

Noah Wright (DT at San Jose State) ... "I met Coach D in 2015 before my career at College of the Sequoias, and little did I know the major role he would later play not only in my development as an athlete, but as a student and a man as well. In 2019, I was offered the opportunity to continue my studies and athletic career at San Jose State and I owe a big piece on that to Coach D's belief in me and my abilities. My family also experienced some really hard times during my time at COS and the love and geniune concern that Coach D showed me and my family - and continues to show us in something I will always be grateful for. I can't wait to see what Coach D does next as I will continue to cheer him on as he does for me"

Irv Pankey (former Los Angeles Ram great and coaching colleague) ... "Coach D'Agostino is an experienced young coach who is well-connected inside coaching circles. His passion and the relationships he builds with players is unparalleled. I'm excited to see him take on his new role at De Anza College."

Steve Mooshagian (CCCFCA President, Ventura College Head Coach, former NCAA/NFL coach) ... "I've known Joe coach over 20 years. He has a great work ethic, a love for the game, and a way to connect to players like few others. As his former coach, I'm proud of him and looking forward to see what he does at De Anza College."

Gene Pryor (OT University of Hawai'i) ... "Coach D is one of the hardest working coaches I've known. He helped mold me into the man that I am today and I'm truly blesssed to have met a man such as him."

D'Agostino Coaching Experience