Mike Haydon enters his ninth year on the Ventura College coaching staff in 2023. He begins his sixth season as defensive coordinator for the upcoming campaign.  

Last season, VC won their final three games of the year to claim a share of its third straight Southern California Football Association Northern Conference title, advancing to the SCFA Final Four. A year before, VC came out of the Covid-19 pandemic to march through an undefeated season and the No. 1 state ranking before falling un the SCFA playoffs.

In 2019, VC earned a share of its sixth Northern Conference title and made the program's ninth straight post-season appearance. In 2018, Haydon was an integral part of VC's 11-2 campaign and the Pirates' march to the SCFA title with the team's appearance in the CCCAA State Championship game. He was also vital in VC's Northern Conference championships of 2015, 2016 and 2017 with the Pirates posting consecutive 8-3 campaigns, punctuated by a Beach Bowl victory in '15 and SCFA semifinal appearances in '16 and '17. The Pirates are 23-2 over five seasons in Northern Conference play with Haydon on the sidelines, 43-14 overall.

Haydon came to VC after spending five seasons at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif. He served as the Defense Coordinator for the previous four working with the defensive line and defensive backs. Haydon also served one year as the special team’s coordinator. Before his time at Feather River, Haydon spent two years as the graduate assistant for the University of Wisconsin-Stout working with the defensive backs.

Haydon graduated from Allen Park High School in Allen Park, MI and was a three sport athlete. He competed in football, basketball and baseball. He played cornerback and earned all-league, and all-region honors his senior year. He then moved on to Defiance College to continue his football career. At Defiance he started all 40 games in his career. He earned all-league honors as a cornerback, safety, and linebacker. Haydon was a part of a defense that ranked in the top five nationally in total defense, run defense, and pass defense. While finishing his degree Haydon served as the running back coach for Defiance in the 2007 season.