Taylor Mendoza is set to enter his fourth season as the program’s director of operations in 2021. Mendoza joined the Nittany Lions after previous collegiate experiences at Amherst College and Skidmore College.
In addition to his operation duties, Mendoza has been instrumental in Penn State's recruiting efforts through his digital and social media efforts, helping the team land recruits that led to the 2019 team being the most successful in program history. The Lions went 16-2, won their first-ever Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, and played in the NCAA Semifinals for the first time.
Mendoza spent two seasons at Amherst College as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, working with both the offense and defense on the field and raising the profile of the program through new recruiting materials and social media channels.
In 2016, Mendoza helped guide the man-up unit to a No. 3 national ranking (49.2 percent efficiency) as Amherst averaged 14.16 goals and 46.3 shots per game. His coaching expertise with the face-off unit translated into a 23 percent improvement in 2017, which placed Amherst in top 25 nationally in that statistical category.
Amherst landed two of the most talented classes in history due to Mendoza’s efforts, including the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Rookie of the Year and a face-off man who earned All-NESCAC second-team honors. In his two seasons with the purple and white, Mendoza mentored eight United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-Americans, eight USILA All-America selections, 10 All-NESCAC selections and more than two dozen academic All-NESCAC honorees.
Mendoza served as the first assistant at Skidmore College from 2013-15, guiding the face-off unit to an improvement of 17 percent over his two seasons with the program. In addition to his on-field coaching duties, he handled film breakdown, scouting reports, player development and recruiting, as well as team logistics, alumni relations, and fundraising.
A 2013 graduate of SUNY-Cortland, Mendoza earned his bachelor's degree in business economics. He won three letters as a midfielder for the Red Dragons as the program totaled 56 wins against only five losses during his career. In his three seasons, SUNY-Cortland reached the NCAA quarterfinals (2011), semifinals (2013) and advanced to the championship game in 2012.
Mendoza and his wife, Laura, reside in State College.
In addition to his operation duties, Mendoza has been instrumental in Penn State's recruiting efforts through his digital and social media efforts, helping the team land recruits that led to the 2019 team being the most successful in program history. The Lions went 16-2, won their first-ever Big Ten regular season and tournament titles, and played in the NCAA Semifinals for the first time.
Mendoza spent two seasons at Amherst College as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator, working with both the offense and defense on the field and raising the profile of the program through new recruiting materials and social media channels.
In 2016, Mendoza helped guide the man-up unit to a No. 3 national ranking (49.2 percent efficiency) as Amherst averaged 14.16 goals and 46.3 shots per game. His coaching expertise with the face-off unit translated into a 23 percent improvement in 2017, which placed Amherst in top 25 nationally in that statistical category.
Amherst landed two of the most talented classes in history due to Mendoza’s efforts, including the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) Rookie of the Year and a face-off man who earned All-NESCAC second-team honors. In his two seasons with the purple and white, Mendoza mentored eight United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Scholar All-Americans, eight USILA All-America selections, 10 All-NESCAC selections and more than two dozen academic All-NESCAC honorees.
Mendoza served as the first assistant at Skidmore College from 2013-15, guiding the face-off unit to an improvement of 17 percent over his two seasons with the program. In addition to his on-field coaching duties, he handled film breakdown, scouting reports, player development and recruiting, as well as team logistics, alumni relations, and fundraising.
A 2013 graduate of SUNY-Cortland, Mendoza earned his bachelor's degree in business economics. He won three letters as a midfielder for the Red Dragons as the program totaled 56 wins against only five losses during his career. In his three seasons, SUNY-Cortland reached the NCAA quarterfinals (2011), semifinals (2013) and advanced to the championship game in 2012.
Mendoza and his wife, Laura, reside in State College.