Pirate alumnus Lonnie McCowan '03 enters his seventh year on the Ventura College coaching staff. He will work with the linebackers and coordinate the Pirates' special team in 2021. He has been a part of Northern Conference crowns in 2016, 2017 and 2019 at VC, and assisted in the Pirates' march to the Southern California Football Association title in 2018, culminating the VC's appearance in the CCCAA State Championship game.

McCowan was twice an All-Pacific View League player at Oxnard High School. He was also first-team All-Ventura County and first-team All-CIF as a senior, leading the Yellowjackets with 125 tackles and four interceptions.

Coach McCowan played his freshman season at Ventura College in 2002, pulling in four interceptions. He also set a school record with a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown. An injury cut short his sophomore season before it began at VC, and he received his A.A. degree in 2003.

McCowan transferred to Marshall University, making his first start in game four of the 2003 season against No. 5 Kansas State, helping the Thundering Herd to the big upset of the Wildcats. He played two seasons at the Huntington, WV school before transferring to Tennessee Chattanooga for his senior season. In 2005, McCowan was second on the Mocs' team with 80 tackles.

McCowan has spent time coaching locally at St. Bonaventure and Pacifica High Schools. He received his B.A. degree from Southern New Hampshire University in May 2016 and plans on attending graduate school.

Lonnie has one son, Tre (15), and two daughters, Karsan (13) and Lexi (10).