For over two decades, Juan Sanchez has been a transformative figure in California community college soccer, building powerhouse programs and guiding countless student-athletes to success on and off the field. As the head coach for both the Mt. SAC Men’s and Women’s Soccer Teams, Sanchez has cemented his reputation as one of the most accomplished and respected coaches in the sport.

Women’s Soccer
Now entering his sixth season at the helm of the Mt. SAC Women’s Soccer Program, Sanchez has quickly elevated the team to one of the premier programs in the state. Under his leadership, the Mounties have compiled a 79-21-16 overall record and captured three consecutive South Coast Conference (SCC) Championships from 2022 to 2024. Both the 2022 and 2024 squads posted perfect 9-0 conference records, showcasing the consistent excellence fostered under Sanchez’s direction.

The 2024 season featured standout performances from Tiana Egland (SCC Defensive Player of the Year) and Anai Olmedo (SCC Goalie of the Year). In 2023, Sanchez was named SCC Coach of the Year (North Division), while Kristin Mijares and Gabriella Sanchez, earned Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year honors, respectively. The 2022 campaign saw Sanchez once again named Coach of the Year, while Kaylee Gutierrez, Paulina Bugarin, and Leila Peregrina swept the conference’s top player honors.

A defining moment came in 2021, when the Mounties advanced to the 3C2A State Semifinals—their first Final Four appearance in 25 years. That season, Frida Monsalvo earned SCC Defensive Player of the Year and was named United Soccer Coaches National Scholar Player of the Year, while Peregrina took home Goalkeeper of the Year accolades. Sanchez’s inaugural season in 2019 set the tone, as he led the team to the second round of the SoCal Regionals—their deepest postseason run since 2008.

In addition to his collegiate coaching success, Sanchez has coached several local girls' club soccer programs, including serving as head coach for the Arsenal ECNL 2005 Girls and assistant coach for the 2003 team. Over the years, he led teams to multiple notable finishes, including the 2014 Coast Soccer League Championship, the 2015 State Cup Presidents Final, the 2016 Coast Soccer League Cup Final, the 2017 State Cup Presidents Championship, the 2019 California Regional League Championship, and a 2019 National Cup Semi-Final appearance. His commitment to preparing young athletes for the next level has left a lasting impact across Southern California.

Men’s Soccer
Now in his 23rd season as head coach of the Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer Team, Juan Sanchez has built one of the most dominant programs in California community college history. With an incredible career record of 388-55-56, he has led the Mounties to six 3C2A State Championships (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2021), two United Soccer Coaches National Titles, and 17 South Coast Conference titles.

Sanchez further cemented his legacy in 2021, when his team won its sixth state title on the home field, solidifying him as the winningest coach in Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer history. That same year, he earned his fifth SCC All-Sports Coach of the Year honor (2003, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2021), a record-setting achievement.

Recent years have continued the program’s legacy of excellence. In 2024, the men’s team clinched another SCC title with standout performances from Moises Prado (Offensive Player of the Year), Felipe Cobian (Defensive Player of the Year), and Alex Ledesma (Goalie of the Year). In 2023, Sanchez was named SCC Men’s Soccer Coach of the Year for the North Division after guiding the team to another conference championship. His players again swept major conference honors, including Victor Fregoso (Offensive), Erick Nuno (Defensive), and Danny Ramirez (Goalie). The 2022 season saw similar success with Alex Mendez and Emiliano Gutierrez earning top SCC individual awards.

From 2016 to 2018, Coach Sanchez led the Mounties through a dominant run in men’s soccer. In 2016, he captured his fifth state title, tying legendary coach George Avakian for the most in 3C2A history. The team returned in 2017 with an 18-5-3 record for their 11^th consecutive appearance in the 3C2A State Championship Final Four, falling 2-1 to eventual champion Fresno City. In 2018, the Mounties claimed their 12th South Coast Conference title, Sanchez earned his ninth SCC Coach of the Year honor, and the team finished 18-4-3 after a SoCal Finals loss to Golden West ended their streak of 11 straight Final Four appearances.

From 2009 to 2012, Sanchez’s teams made history by capturing four consecutive state titles. The 2011 team went undefeated at 20-0-3 and achieved the “California Triple Crown” by winning the conference, regional, and state titles for the third year in a row, along with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Junior College National Championship for the second time (the first was 2009). Sanchez was named NSCAA National Coach of the Year for Junior College Division III that season. His teams have made 11 Final Four appearances, including an 11-year streak from 2006 to 2017, marking one of the most dominant runs in junior college soccer.

Background

Sanchez began his coaching career as an assistant at Mt. SAC and Damien High School from 1997-2000. From 1999-2004, he took on the role of men’s head soccer coach at Diamond Ranch High School, where he led his teams to two undefeated league championships and multiple playoff runs.

In 2001, he took on the role of head coach for the Mt. SAC Men’s Soccer Team leading them to back-to-back South Coast Conference Championships in 2002 and 2003 with a state finals appearance in 2002. In national polls, the Mounties finished 6th in 2002 and 9th in 2003. His 2003 team achieved an impressive 14-0 undefeated conference record, earning Sanchez the titles of SCC Men's Soccer Coach of the Year and SCC All-Sports Coach of the Year. 

He served as the head coach of the men’s program at Cerritos College in 2004, before returning to Mt. SAC as a full-time professor and coach in 2005.

A former standout player himself, Sanchez competed at Cal State Los Angeles, where he helped the Golden Eagles win the 1993 CCAA Confernece Championship. He was a two-time First Team All-CCAA and earned All-Far West Region First Team honors. After college, he played professionally with the University of Mexico reserves (1994), Anaheim Splash (1994-1995), Pittsburgh Stingers (1995-1996), and Detroit Safari (1997).

Sanchez holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Cal State LA and a master’s degree in education from the University of La Verne. He also holds a USSF “A” Coaching License, the highest certification available in U.S. soccer. He lives in Eastvale with his wife, Gabriella, a high school counselor. They have four children—Alex, Maya, Samantha, and Gabriel. In his free time, he enjoys exploring global cuisine, especially tacos árabes and arrachera steaks.

updated 07/15/25