Coaching Staff

2023 Menendez Football Coaching Staff

Head Coach – Anthony Rivers

Coach Rivers was a two-sport athlete at Bluefield University in Virginia. At Bluefield, Coach Rivers was a 4-year starter at cornerback. In 2015 -2016 he competed on the Soccer team as well as the Football team. At the time of his graduation, Coach Rivers was Bluefield’s all-time leader in career interceptions. After graduating from Bluefield with a degree in Exercise Science, Coach played a season professionally in the GFL with the Cologne Crocodiles.

Menendez HS – Head Coach (2023 – Present)
Ponte Vedra HS – Varsity Defensive Coordinator (2022).
Ponte Vedra HS – Varsity Defensive Backs, JV Head Coach (2021)
Ponte Vedra HS – Varsity Defensive Backs, JV Defensive Coordinator (2020)
Ponte Vedra HS – Varsity Defensive Backs (2019) *District Championship*

Coach Rivers moved to Florida after graduating from Bluefield University. While at Bluefield, he met his wife Marissa who was playing on the school’s Volleyball team at the time. Coach Rivers and his wife Marissa both teach in St. Johns County and have a daughter.

Offensive Coaching Staff

Matthew Wray –Offensive Coordinator

Coach Wray played at Olivet Nazarene University as a Quarterback for four seasons. In his time in college, he started as a Junior and completed 70% of passes for 1800 yards and 13 TDs. Coach Wray began his coaching year after graduating college in 2017. He joined the staff of his hometown at Indian Creek High School as a WRs/DB Coach. In his second season was the Pass Game coordinator for Tri-West High School. At the beginning of 2020 relocated to St.Johns Florida to coach for Ponte Vedra as a Safeties Coach. After that season took a job at Nease High School as the DBs Coach and Assistant Defensive Coordinator.

Coaching Achievements Tri – West Most Passing Yards in the Conference Most Passing TDs in the Conference Indian Creek Most Passing Yards in the County Most Points Scored in the Conference
Player Accomplishments Olivet Nazarene (College) Academic Team Selection – Senior Year Two – Time Player of the Week Indian Creek(High School) Two-time All Mid-Hoosier Conference honoree Two-time All-Johnson County selection AP All-State Honorable Mention Team Captain

Reese Crounse – Quarterbacks/Wide Receivers /JV Head Coach

Coach Crounse recently graduated from West Virginia University where he majored in Physical Education & Kinesiology. Before WVU Crounse played high school football as a Quarterback in Maryland where he won a State Championship in 2015 and received All State honors in 2016 & 2017. Crounse ranks in the Top 10 in Maryland history for Passing Yards in a Career (6,350) and Top 10 for single season passing yards (3,358). Crounse’s record as a high school football player was 32-6 and his teams never lost an away game.

Craig Karpiak – Offensive Line

Butch Helmly – Running Backs

Coach Butch played Defensive Back for Fletcher High and Jacksonville State University. He is a former head coach at Interlachen and is returning to Menendez for his 2nd stint of coaching football for the Falcons.

Nease High School Defensive Coordinator 1981-1992, OC 92 – 94
Interlachen High School Head Football Coach 1994-2000
Menendez High School Defensive Coordinator 6 years, OC 2 years 2000-2008
Creekside High School 2008-2016
Menendez High School Running Backs 2024-Current Running Backs

Defensive Coaching Staff

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Michael Jefferson – Inside Linebackers

“Coach J” has been on the Menendez staff since 2004 coaching Linebackers. He will also be our Senior Football Advisor. He is a major contributor to all of the Falcon football success both on & off the field. Coach Jefferson was the position coach of two Menendez alumni that went on to play in the NFL, Tony Steward (Buffalo Bills) & Willie Harvey (Cleveland Browns).

Menendez HS – Linebackers (2004-Present)

Coach Jefferson played high school football at St. Augustine HS were he was an All-County LB. Coach Jefferson is also a US Army Veteran & we thank him for his service to our great nation.