MONTEREY >> It is an unprecedented start for any head coach at any level. Three years, three titles — two undefeated conference seasons.

For someone who had to wait an entire year to kick off his head coaching career because of the pandemic, Monterey Peninsula College’s Ronnie Palmer has been very successful, running off a 15-1 record in the American Golden Coast Conference.

That one setback was a four-point road loss in which MPC was outscored 15-0 in the final minute and a half in a loss to West Hills in 2022.

“I remember that game like it was yesterday,” Palmer said.

Palmer has always been quick to turn the page on a game, as well as a season. Glancing at film in the off-season is more of an evaluation process in moving forward.

“I watch cut-ups and look at how we coach and evaluate everything from top to bottom,” Palmer said. “Every year is a new team. What remains consistent is how you approach small things.”

Having come into a program that had put together a successful run upon his arrival, Palmer has enhanced it with a tenacious defense and an offense that is predicated on its personnel.

Last fall the Lobos averaged 31 points a game, with their three setbacks coming against two teams that were a combined 20-2, including a loss to undefeated Foothill in a bowl game.

“Every game I’ve been a part of at MPC, we’ve had an opportunity to go 1-0,” Palmer said. “We have put ourselves in a position to be successful. Of course, it doesn’t always happen. It’s always motivation to get better.”

Not surprisingly, when you’re chasing perfection each season, recruiting has gone well for MPC. While the number of players has floated in the upper 70s in the past, Palmer cut his roster down to 64 players this year.

“Some were not prepared to go through a college football season,” Palmer said. “It’s not a hobby for a lot of these kids. This is our livelihood. Most want an opportunity to get to the next level.”

Among them is offensive tackle Nathan Olivas, who has transformed his body in 18 months at MPC to a punishing 6-foot-1, 280-pound force.

“I came to MPC a little stiff,” said the Greenfield graduate. “I’ve added 30 pounds of muscle and I’m a lot more athletic. The weight room has been huge.”

With roughly 50 percent of his roster turning over each year, Palmer already sees the challenges on the horizon, ones he welcomes.

“There is never a dull moment,” said Palmer, a former linebacker at the University of Arizona. “We’re not bored here. We have to get young men prepared and up to speed.”

That work started in the off-season, where the Lobos strength and conditioning program has enabled Palmer to create a vision.

“It’s structured on the quality of our athletes,” Palmer said. “If they are ready, I progress. If not, we slow down in certain ways. We can’t wait for everyone to catch up. But our foundation is getting young men prepared.”

If there has been one hiccup in Palmer’s rein, it’s been settling on one quarterback during the season. Some of it has not been his choice as injuries have seen MPC start three quarterbacks in his first three seasons.

While Palmer would like to see someone separate themselves, preparing three quarterbacks to play has had its advantages when a player is called upon.

“I honestly treat the quarterback position the same as every other position,” Palmer said. “I feel it’s important to reward guys that have certain strengths that can help you win games.”

A committee approach may be in order again this fall as Palmer has a trio of quarterbacks in camp vying for playing time, including Gavin Cortez, whose brother Anthony started last fall.

In addition, Eric Bishop, who spent his first season redshirting at LSU, has been in the system for over a year now. And Miekael Brooker showed glimpses last year, completing 14-of-34 passes for 385 yards and six touchdowns.

“I don’t try and have three playing,” Palmer said. “But we’ve found success in that. When it’s their time, it’s not a shock. I’m a firm believer that if you have two extreme talents, you can’t bench a guy.”

What has worked during Palmer’s tenure is turning to his playmakers on the outside to create big plays on offense, landing a pair of freshmen in Marina’s Julius Robinson and Alisal’s Jesus Maciel.

Regarded as one of the top basketball players in the county last season, Robinson adds to the depth at the receiver position, while Maciel is an imposing 6-foot-3 tight end crossing the middle.

The ability to run the ball effectively in conference play behind a talented offensive line has taken some of the pressure off the passing game.

“Everyone is passionate about their craft,” Olivas said. “We love to compete. We’re just trying to get a little better each practice, with an eye on going 1-0 each week.”

Moving the pile starts with Olivas, who has evolved into a dependable lineman, opening holes and protecting the quarterback’s blind side.

“Playing at the next level is always in the back of my head,” Olivas said. “Right now, this is my extended family. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

Of course, when your defense is holding opponents to under 20 points a game, as it did in its eight wins last year, it takes some of the pressure off the MPC offense.

Having used 6-foot-3 Noah Garry on both sides of the ball last fall, Palmer has the Pacific Grove High product targeted as one of his linebackers this fall.

“He’s become a better tackler and a better leader,” Palmer said. “That’s going to help our defense as we try and find our new identity. I think Noah will be a highly recruited athlete. He’s sharp.”

A part of the Lobos front seven on rotation will include former Seaside pass rusher Taylor Rice, who could find himself playing three different positions.

“I don’t care what position a kid finds himself in if he can contribute,” Palmer said. “It’s kind of how I like to do things. He gives us a burst off the edge.”

If there is a strength in the Lobos’ defense, it’s the secondary where arguably the top returning defensive back in the state roams around in Maurice Mathis, who finished with a team-high six interceptions for 179 yards, returning two for touchdowns last fall.

“He actually had two other interceptions called back,” Palmer said. “He’s matured and become a leader. I’ve challenged him. It will help him in the long run.”

Jayden Freidt, who spent a year at Fresno City before transferring, adds depth in the secondary, having picked off seven passes in 15 career games at Hollister.

Arguably the most versatile player on the Lobos’ defense is freshman Drew Molinari, who can play cornerback or safety, as well as line up as a linebacker.

Molinari, who decided against Portland State, brings a winning pedigree to the Lobos, having been a part of Palma’s State Division 4A title team last year.

What has also been a valuable component to the Lobos’ run of conference titles has been their special teams, where Palmer landed Hollister kicker Joey Fernandez.

“He’s very athletic,” Palmer said. “He might be the third fastest guy on our team. And he can kick.”

While nemesis Redwoods of Eureka returns on their nonconference schedule, the Lobos will also see Los Medanos of Pittsburg, Siskiyous of Weed and Chabot of Hayward before beginning defense of their conference title.

“We have a dangerous bunch,” Palmer said. “These kids coming in have said ‘look at me coach’ without any words. We’ll rotate and find our strengths and weaknesses. Our program is in a great place because of the kids.”