Juan Sanchez

Juan Sanchez

  • Title:
    Men's & Women's Head Coach
  • Phone:
    909-274-4361
  • Email:
    jsanchez@mtsac.edu
  • Team:
    Men's and Women's Soccer
  • Accolades:
    All-Time CCCAA Men's Soccer State Championship Winning Coach (6)
  • University/College:
    Cal State Los Angeles
  • Mt. SAC Starting Year:
    2001

Juan Sanchez, will enter his 20th season (2022) at the helm of the Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer Program and will solely direct the women's program in his third season.  Sanchez has an overall record of 349-55-56 (.820 winning percentage as of 01/01/21) with the men's program and has brought that same magic to the women's program where he an overall record of 30-10-9 (.704 winning percentage).  He has led the Mt. SAC Men's Program to six California Community College Athletic Association State Championships and two United Soccer Coaches National Championships (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association).  

The 2021 men's soccer season was another incredible and memorable year for the Mountie Program.  Sanchez led the team to an overall record of 19-2-2 and captured the colleges sixth overall state title at home.  With the win, Sanchez became the winningest men's soccer coach in history with six state championships titles.  He also moved up on the Mt. SAC history books, tieing with legendary Golf Coach Stan Gonta, in the number two spot on the all-time state championship title list.  Sanchez also set the South Coast Conference (SCC) Record Books, when he was named thh 2021-2022 SCC All-Sports Men's Coach of the Year for a record 5th time.  He previously captured the award during the 2003-2004, 2009-2010, 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 sport seasons.    

SANCHEZ MT. SAC WOMEN'S PROGRAM BIO

In a mere two seasons, Sanchez has helped transform the Mt. SAC Women's Soccer Program back into a soccer powerhouse.  In his first season (2020), he led the women's team to and overall record of 14-7-3 and to the second round of the SoCal Regional Playoffs, something the Mounties had not accomplished in over decade (2008).  In his second season, with Co-Head Coach Rachel Schmid, he led the team to an overall record of 16-3-6 and broke a 25 year state championships drought by guiding the team all the way to the CCCAA State Championship Semi-Finals, where they lost to eventual champion, Hartnell College, 2-1.

Throught the years, Sanchez has also worked with and guided a number of local girls club soccer programs through the years. He is currently the Arsenal ECNL 2005 Head Girls Coach and assists with the 2003 Arsenal Girls.  Through the years he has guided various girls teams to numerous prestigious championships and tournaments including the 2014 Coast Soccer League Championships (2003 girls), 2015 State Cup President Final (2003 girls), 2016 Coast Soccer League Cup Finalist (2005 girls), 2017 State Cup Presidents Championship (2005 girls), 2019 Californai Regional League Championship (2005 girls), 2019 National Cup Semi-Finalist (2005 girls) and this year qualified for the Far West Regional Tournament in Boise (ID). 

SANCHEZ MT. SAC MEN'S PROGRAM BIO

In 2018, the Mounties under Sanchez captured their 12th South Coast Conference Men's Soccer Championship, earning him SCC Coach of the Year Honors for the ninth time. The team advanced to the SoCal Finals, but unfortunately lost to Golden West College, 2-0, ending the Mounties hopes of defending their state championship and ending their consecutive California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship Final Four appearance streak at 11.  The team once again finished with a winning overall record of 18-4-3.  

In 2017, he led the Mounties (18-5-3) to their 11 consecutive CCCAA State Championship Final Four appearance where the Mounties lost to eventual state champion, Fresno City College, 2-1.  The Mounties trip to the 2016 CCCAA Men’s Soccer State Championship marked Sanchez's tenth consecutive final four appearance and his 5th CCCAA State Championship.  With that championship, Sanchez joined legendary soccer coach, George Avakian of Foothill College, as the winningest mens soccer coaches in CCCAA history with 5 state championships apiece.  

Since his arrival in the South Coast Conference, Sanchez has been one of the most dominant Men’s Soccer Coaches in the state, winning the South Coast Conference (SCC) Championship 12 times, the SCC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year Award nine times and the SCC All-Sports Coach of the Year, twice.  Between the 2009 to 2012 seasons, Sanchez's teams lost only 5 games, producing an overall record of 82 wins, 5 losses and 11 ties and a 45 game unbeaten streak.

2012 was a record breaking season for Sanchez, who led his team to their 4th consecutive State Championship, which surpassed the previous state championship win streak of 3.  The Mounties finished the season with an overall record of 21-3-1 and gave Sanchez his eighth SCC Championship and Coach of the Year Honor.   

If 2009 was the dream season, it is even harder to describe the 2011 Season. The 2011 Mounties finished the season with an undefeated record of 22-0-3. For the third year in a row the team captured the California Triple Crown (Conference, Southern California and State Championship) and in addition the 2011 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Junior College National Championship.  Sanchez was named the NSCAA National Coach of the Year (Junior College Division III).

2010 was another phenomenal season with the team winning their second consecutive State Championship, defeating College of the Canyons, 4-0. The Mounties captured the State, Southern California and Conference Championships and finished the season with a 19-1-4.

2009 was a dream season for the Sanchez who lead the Mounties to the State Championship Game once again, but this time taking the championship by defeating Taft College 2-1. The Mounties finished the season with a record of 20-1-3 and were named by the NSCAA the 2009 National Community College Champions.

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.

He 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 Education from the University of La Verne.  He holds a USSF "A" Coaching License, the highest soccer license.

In his spare tie he enjoys various cuisines including eating Tacos Arabe and Arachera steaks.

Sanchez and his lovely wife, Gabriella (a high school counselor) reside in Eastvale with their four children - Alex, Maya, Samantha and Gabriel.

updated 09/15/22