ATHERTON, CA – Set to take the reins of Menlo College's newest sport program, Rachel Sianez has been announced as Women's Flag Football Head Coach ahead of the inaugural 2026-27 season. Bringing numerous years of experience not only pioneering the sport but achieving championship-level success as well, Sianez now prepares to advance the Oaks into their debuting era.
"I am extremely excited about this role at Menlo College," Sianez said. "Menlo has a strong history of successful athletic programs, and I'm honored to help continue that tradition with the launch of women's flag football."
Most recently the assistant coach, defensive coordinator, and strength & conditioning coach for Kansas Wesleyan University Women's Flag Football, Sianez helped guide the Coyotes to an impressive 19-2 record in 2024. Averaging over 30 points per contest, KWU won the first seven games to start the year, went 11-2 in Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference play, and ultimately captured the NAIA Flag Finals B Bracket Championship.
"Menlo is the right fit for me because of the support and enthusiasm shown by the administration, staff, and faculty for this emerging program," Sianez said. "Having grown up about an hour away, Menlo already feels like home to me, and I'm eager to create that same sense of belonging for our incoming student-athletes."
"We are excited to welcome Rachel back to Northern California to lead this program," said Vice President for Athletics Keith Spataro. "She understands the talent in this region and shares our belief in building something that is competitive, connected, and meaningful for our student-athletes from day one. She has already built a program from the ground up, which gives us strong confidence in our ability to do it again at Menlo."
Outside of stints with Just Compete Sports & Girls Play Flag Football in Denver and Apex Predators Flag Football Club in Las Vegas, Sianez served as the head coach for Milligan University Women's Flag Football from 2020-21. A tireless recruiter, she was responsible for the team's explosive growth in their debut season, laying the groundwork for a program that now owns 37 wins in its last two years.
"My goal is to elevate the competitiveness and passion for flag football not only in the Bay Area, but throughout California," Sianez said. "This state is home to some of the best talent in the country, and I take great pride in the opportunity to represent and develop that excellence."
An accomplished women's soccer student-athlete at Bethany College, Sianez earned her bachelor's degree in Exercise Science and Nutrition and is currently working on her master's degree in Sports Management at Colorado State.
