Mike Dovenberg - “Coach Dov”- shares how building trust, work ethic, accountability, and directed intensity helps athletes succeed on the field — and prepares them for life beyond it.

Step onto the field at College of San Mateo (CSM), and you’ll hear more than talk about winning games. You’ll hear about Effort, Attitude, and Toughness—the three core values that shape Coach Mike Dovenberg’s approach to football and life.

As the Offensive Coordinator and Quarterbacks Coach for the 2024 National Champion CSM Bulldogs, Mike has helped countless athletes elevate their game. But his real mission? Making sure they’re ready for life after football.

The Traits That Separate Great Athletes

Through years of coaching, Mike has noticed that the athletes who succeed on and off the field share a few defining traits:

Coachability – They listen, adapt, and apply feedback immediately. It’s the difference between stagnation and growth—not just in sports, but in any career.
Accountability – They take ownership of their actions—whether that’s showing up early, putting in extra work, or bouncing back from mistakes.
Resilience – Football is tough. Life is tougher. The best players don’t just push through adversity—they adjust, refocus, and keep moving forward.
Trust in the Process – They understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. They commit to daily discipline, preparation, and the long game.

But these aren’t just football skills—they’re life skills.

More Than a Game: How CSM Rallied Around Mike

Mike has spent his career coaching athletes through tough moments. But in 2018, he found himself in the fight of his life.

Diagnosed with leukemia, he spent eight months undergoing chemotherapy before receiving a bone marrow transplant. For the first time, the coach who had always pushed others through adversity had to rely on his own resilience—and the team he had built.

CSM rallied around him. His fellow coaches, players, and staff kept him involved, ensuring he remained part of the program—even from a hospital bed. He continued breaking down game film and mentoring players remotely, drawing strength from the sport and community he had spent years shaping.

“It reinforced what I already knew: this game is about more than football. It’s about building a culture where people show up for each other—on and off the field.”

That experience changed his perspective. It made him even more committed to helping his players prepare for life beyond the game—because football, like everything else, eventually ends.

Building Athletes for Life

To make sure his players are ready for what comes next, Mike helped develop CSM’s Built for Life program, which teaches:

Financial Literacy – A custom math course where athletes learn budgeting, investing, and contract negotiation using real NFL salary structures.
Mental Resilience Training – Teaching athletes how to handle the mental transition from football to life after sport.
Community Engagement – Players volunteer at local schools, learning leadership and responsibility beyond football.

And it works. Nearly 90% of CSM players move on to four-year programs, a direct result of the support structure and life skills they gain.

Where We Still Need to Improve

Despite programs like Built for Life, the sports world still has work to do when it comes to athlete transitions. Some key areas for improvement:

Career Transition Support – Too many athletes struggle to find purpose and direction when their playing days end. Career planning must start before the final season, not after.
Mental Health Accessibility – Resources exist, but many athletes don’t take advantage of them until they’re in crisis. We must normalize mental resilience training just like strength training.
Identity Coaching – When an athlete’s entire life has revolved around their sport, who are they without it? More structured identity work would help athletes redefine success.

Football is Just the Beginning

Mike Dovenberg has spent years helping athletes win on the field, but more importantly, he’s preparing them for what comes after.

The players who pass through CSM’s program leave with more than just game-day experience. They leave with life skills, mentorship, and a roadmap for success—whether they go pro or pivot to new careers.

And if sports teach us anything, it’s this: The game may end, but the lessons last forever.

More Than Football: Building Athletes For Life