Rafael Tolentino was hired in the winter of 2013 to serve as linebackers coach for the Wildcats. Hewill also serve as the co-special teams coordinator and recruiting coordinator for the 2013 season

Tolentino joins the Wildcat football coaching staff with an extensive and proficient background in coaching and teaching. Rafael’s experience and strengths are in strength and conditioning, getting the most of the players and picking up on offensive tendencies/weaknesses of an opponent 

Prior to this appointment, Tolentino served as the linebackers coach for one season at South Dakota School of Mines in Rapid City, S.D. During his one year with the Hardrockers, Tolentino’s linebackers made up five of the top 11 tacklers on the team. Prior to arriving at the South Dakota Mines, Tolentino was the defensive coordinator, secondary coach and strength and conditioning coach at Lake Howell High School in Seminole, Fla. 

Tolentino began his coaching and teaching career in 2003 at Glendale Community College in Glendale, Ariz., immediately following graduating from Western Oregon. While at Glendale, Tolentino won a NJCAA National Championship in 2005.  He served in several capacities at Glendale, coaching running backs, rovers and outside linebackers in his three seasons. Individually, Tolentino coached an NJCAA All-America running back in 2003, an All-America defensive back in 2004 and two all-conference linebackers in 2005.   

In addition to Lake Howell and Glendale Community College, Rafael's coaching and teaching background includes spending time in central Florida at Mainland High School in 2006, Winter Springs High School in 2007 & 2010, Winter Park High School in 2008 and University High School in 2009. 

At the high school level, Tolentino was an algebra teacher, assistant football coach and administrative dean. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Western Oregon University in 2003, and a master’s degree from Baker University in 2004.