Juan Sanchez enters his seventh season at the helm of the Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer Program. For the past six seasons, Sanchez has been the one of the most dominant Men’s Soccer Coaches in the state, winning the South Coast Conference (SCC) Championship and the SCC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year Award five of the past six seasons.
Last season was another phenomenal season for the Mounties who finished with a record of 22-1-2 and a undefeated regular season. The only loss for the Mounties was to Taft in the State Championship Semi-Final Game where the Mounties played nearly one man down the entire game and lost in in overtime on penalty kicks. Forwards Cameron Sims and Karlos Gonzalez where named South Coast Conference Co-Players of the Year. Gonzalez was also named National Community College Player of the Year. Coach Sanchez was named the South Coast Conference Coach of the Year and was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) West Region Community College Coach of the Year.
In 2006, the Mounties finished with a record of 18 wins, 3 losses and 3 ties. An unfortunate first round loss in the playoffs, ended the Mounties season early, but the team still finished ranked #1 in the state.
Sanchez started his coaching career as an assistant coach at both Mt. SAC and Damien High from 1997-2000. He became the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at Diamond Ranch High in 1999, Mt. SAC in 2001 and at Cerritos College in 2004 before returning to Mt. SAC as a full time professor and coach in 2005.
Prior to his short stint at Cerritos, Sanchez led Mt. SAC to consecutive SCC Championships (02, 03) and made a State Finals appearance in 2002. In the national polls, the Mounties finished 6th in 2002 and 9th in 2003. Sanchez’ 2003 team finished with a 14-0 undefeated conference record and he was named SCC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year as well as the SCC All-Sports Coach of the Year.
Sanchez pulled double duty from 1999 to 2004 as a Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer Coach and the head soccer coach/Physical Education teacher at Diamond Ranch High School in Pomona. During his tenure at Diamond Ranch, he lead his teams to the Final (00-01) and Semi-Finals (03-04) of the CIF Soccer Championships as well as leading them to two undefeated league championships.
Sanchez played soccer at California State University at Los Angeles (Cal State LA), where he helped lead the Golden Eagles to the 1993 CCAA Conference Championship. At Cal State LA, Sanchez was a two time 1st Team All-CCAA selection and earned All-Far West Region 1st Team honors as a senior. He continued his playing career as a professional with the University of Mexico (reserves 94), Anaheim Splash (94-95), Pittsburgh Stingers (95-96) and the Detroit Safari (97).
Sanchez earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from California State University at Los Angeles and his master’s degree in degree in Education/Special Emphasis (Physical Education) from the University of La Verne.
Sanchez and his wife, Gabriella reside in Corona with their three children- Alex, Maya and Samantha.
Updated 09-03-08 |
