Meet the Coach Leading Piedmont Football's Resurgence

From a canceled season to three straight playoff appearances, Jordan Seiden has helped bring new life to Piedmont football through steady leadership, strong relationships, and a commitment to building the program the right way.

In 2022, Piedmont football was at a crossroads. Low participation numbers led to the cancellation of the varsity season after the Highlanders started 0–4, leaving many wondering what the future of the program would look like.

When Jordan Seiden took over as head coach, he inherited a program that needed a fresh start. It wasn't just about winning games. The Highlanders needed stability, direction, and a culture that players, coaches, and the community could believe in.

Seiden brought more than 25 years of coaching experience to Piedmont. Before arriving, he coached at Skyline, Capuchino, and Castro Valley, while his time as a player at UC Davis helped shape the way he approaches coaching.

From day one, Seiden knew rebuilding Piedmont football wouldn't be a one-man job.

"It was a collective effort from the community and the coaches. Everyone came together to make it happen, and it's still very much a work in progress as we continue to grow football in a community where it isn't a priority," Seiden said.

That team-first mindset became the foundation of Piedmont's turnaround. Instead of looking for quick results, Seiden and his staff focused on creating a structured program where players could grow, coaches could lead, and the community could get behind the team.

The results didn't happen overnight, but they came.

After the canceled 2022 season, Piedmont returned in 2023 and finished 7–4, earning a playoff berth. The following season, the Highlanders improved to 10–2, continuing the program's progress.

Seiden never let outside expectations change his approach. While some expected Piedmont to stay near the bottom of the league, he stayed focused on developing his players, building trust, and doing things the right way.

The 2025 season showed just how much the program had grown. After graduating a highly accomplished Class of 2025 that played a major role in the turnaround, many expected the Highlanders to take a step back. Instead, Seiden led a young and inexperienced team to the North Coast Section Division 7 Championship Game, extending Piedmont's streak to three straight playoff appearances and proving the program was built to keep moving forward.

Leadership Beyond the Sidelines

Coach Seiden celebrating with his team after a win

The wins are only part of Seiden's impact. The people around him say his leadership is what has made the biggest difference.

Defensive line coach Pou Tauaho says Seiden's biggest strength is the trust he puts in his staff and the relationships he builds with everyone around the program.

"I think his best trait is his leadership. He leads the program the right way. He lets each coach do their thing because of the trust he has in each coach. Coaching-wise, he simplifies everything down to a T so every player and coach can understand what he is teaching. He loves every player and coach like family. He's a great coach and a big brother I can call for life," Tauaho said.

Offensive line coach Oski Tauaho believes Seiden's leadership has helped create a positive culture that changed the direction of the program.

"Coach Seiden leads with love, builds strong relationships with the team and coaches, and has created a positive team culture at Piedmont. His coaching is clear, organized, and easy to understand. That's why every player believes they can play. He communicates effectively and helps every player understand their role, which contributes to the team's success. When Coach Seiden got to Piedmont, football was on the edge of discontinuing. He found a way to help the community believe again. I'm glad to be on his staff. He's looked out for us like a big brother," Tauaho said.

Former quarterback Markos Lagios saw that same culture firsthand.

"Playing for Coach Seiden was a blast. He pushed us hard, held us to a high standard, and celebrated our successes with us. Before he got there, there was a lot of disorganization. He came in and created a real program, which we really didn't have before. We had more team lifts, structured practices, and offseason events. He was a huge part of turning the program around," Lagios said.

Whether it's players or coaches, the message is the same: Seiden has built the program on trust, relationships, organization, and accountability.

The changes haven't only been felt inside the locker room.

"Several other sports and activities take precedence over football due to concerns about injury. However, since we've been here and have placed such an emphasis on training and preparation, that mindset has started to change. The support and interest in the sport have grown tenfold over the past five years," Seiden said.

In a community where football has often taken a back seat to other sports, interest in the program has continued to grow. Participation is up, support has increased, and more people are buying into what Seiden and his staff are building.

Piedmont also has a proud football history, highlighted by former quarterback Drew Olson, one of the nation's top recruits in the Class of 2002 before starring at UCLA and later spending time in the NFL. While every era is different, the Highlanders are once again building something the community can be proud of.

Just a few years ago, Piedmont was fighting to keep its football program alive. Today, the Highlanders are a consistent playoff team with growing support throughout the community.

Seiden knows there's still work to do, but the progress is hard to ignore. He has helped bring stability back to the program, built a strong foundation for the future, and restored pride in Piedmont football. More importantly, he has created a culture that players, coaches, and families are proud to be a part of.