Coaches
Coach Dansby, Athletic Director/ Boys & Girls Wrestling and 7th Boys Volleyball
Coach Dansby was raised in Pebble Beach, California. As a young boy he played baseball, basketball and football while dabbling in various other sports like wrestling and gymnastics. As a Freshman, while attending Palma High School in Salinas, he experienced being cut from an athletic team for his first and only time in his life (basketball). Hence, began Dansby’s flourishing wrestling career. While in high school Dansby also competed in Football, Cross-Country and Track & Field. After graduating high school Dansby continued wrestling at nearby California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo on a scholarship where he was a 2X NCAA qualifier and PAC 10 runner-up. He also qualified for three Final Olympic Trials (1992, 1996 & 2000) in addition to being a 1995 National Team Member in Greco-Roman wrestling. Coach Dansby is starting in his 23rd year as the Mesa Athletic Director and has coached over 55 Mesa athletic teams in the following sports: Cross-Country, Wrestling, Boys Volleyball and Track & Field. Favorite Quote: “The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work, work is the hard price we pay for success”.
Hobbies: Coaching, Golfing, Hiking
Coach Pierson, Girls Soccer
Hello Hawks, my name is Kyle Pierson and I am starting my 4th year at Mesa as an Academic Success teacher. I was born in Arizona but lived most of my life in Colorado and California. I graduated from Chico State and I have been teaching for 15 years. I taught marine science on Catalina Island, elementary school in Porterville, CA, high school in Chico and now middle school here at Mesa. I grew up playing lots of sports, but soccer is by far my favorite. In high school I played football, basketball, golf and soccer. I have continued to play soccer on recreational teams ever since I graduated high school. I have coached soccer, cross country and track at both the high school and middle school levels. Coaching has become one of my favorite things to do because I believe that sports are essential to helping students find a positive outlet to expel their energy. Sports also promote how to work as a team, how to build a positive community and can teach youth to challenge themselves to be better. I look forward to coaching soccer and track this year. Go Hawks! 
Coach Nichols, Boys and Girls Cross Country and Track and Field
Hi everyone!
My name is Mrs. Nichols and this is my second year teaching at Mesa MS as well as my second year coaching Cross Country and Track. I ran Varsity XC for 4 years in high school as well as 4 years of NCAA DIII XC at the University of Redlands. I started my Cross Country coaching career when I moved to Arroyo Grande a couple years ago. I am BEYOND stoked to be adding Mesa Middle School XC into my schedule this year because this was the age when I tried running Cross Country for the first time. In 8th grade I found a love for running and being a part of a big team and I knew I wanted to be a part of this sport for as long as I could. As a coach, I strive to encourage my athletes to be the best they can be. The art of learning to run is difficult and strenuous, but the fun times with friends, boost in self confidence, achievement of one’s goals and increase of personal endurance, make it all worthwhile.
Coach Lindgren, Girls Basketball (8th), Boys Basketball (7th) and Track & Field
I am Mr. Lindgren, also known as Coach Lindgren. This 2023-2024 school year is my 12th year as a teacher in the Lucia Mar Unified School District. Prior to Mesa I was at Nipomo High School, where I taught P.E., Social Studies, and Public Safety. I continue to coach sports at NHS, where I am the Varsity Girls and the Boys Golf Coach. I am very excited to be a part of the Mesa family and work alongside Mr. Dansby and Mrs. Nichols. It's going to be a great year!I was and raised in Porterville, California and attended UC Santa Barbara. I live in Arroyo Grande with my wife, Missy and our 3 children: Sawyer (boy, age 13); Sage (girl, age 12); and Summer (girl, age 9). In my spare time I enjoy playing music, surfing, and spending time with my family at the fabulous beaches of the Central Coast.Coach Marx, Girls Volleyball (8th) and Boys Volleyball (8th)
Hi, my name is Mr. Marx and this is my 2nd year here at Mesa Middle School. I teach Math 7 and Intervention, and will be coaching the 8th grade volleyball teams for both Boys and Girls. I played every sport I could growing up, and view sports as an awesome opportunity to grow as a person and develop skills and habits that translate to lifelong success. I started playing volleyball in high school, at both the school and club level, and have been playing recreationally ever since. I coached volleyball at Lewis Middle School a couple of years, and was excited to continue coaching here at Mesa. My goal is to help all my players grow and develop both the physical skills and mental understanding of the sport to be successful at the next level. My favorite sports quote: "To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." - Steve Prefontaine
