NFHS California Coach of the Year nominations from CIF’s Southern Section

The CIF State Office recently announced the nominees for each section for the 2019-2020 NFHS California Coach of the Year award. 

Per a CIF press release, “The coaches were selected based on the positive work they have done with the student-athletes in their respective sports programs."

SBLive is taking a closer look at the nominees from each of the state’s 10 Sections. Here are the nominees from the Southern Section:

Francisco Munoz – Eastside – Boys Basketball

In his first season as Eastside's head coach, Munoz led the Lions to a CIFSS Division 4 semifinals appearance and a CIF Division V state finals appearance. Eastside did not get its shot at a state title due to COVID-19.

Matt Dale – Paloma Valley – Girls Basketball

Paloma Valley's meteoric rise in 2019-2020 resulted in a 34-3 season, Division 4-AA section title, and CIF Division III Southern Region championship. The Wildcats were not able to compete for the state championship due to COVID-19. Dale was named the Cal-Hi Sports Division 3 Coach of the Year.

Colin Pratt – Agoura – Boys Cross Country

Pratt has led one of SoCal's premier cross country programs since taking over in 2013.

Kristen Goossens – Orange Lutheran – Girls Cross Country

In her first year at OLu, Goossens led the Lancers to a 2019-2020 Division 4 section title, its first championship since 2009. (Goossens is pictured above)

Hudson Gossard – Crescenta Valley – Football

CV went 14-0 on its way to a CIFSS Division 11 title.

Ray Rivera – Palos Verdes – Girls Golf

Palos Verdes won the 2019-2020 CIFSS Central Division championship.

Luis Sanchez – Foothill Tech – Boys Soccer

Foothill Tech won the 2019-2020 Division 7 championship.

Abraham Pina – Santa Clara – Girls Soccer

Pina guided Santa Clara to a Southern Section Division 7 title game appearance.

Kelly McClusky – Brea Olinda – Spirit

Brea Olinda won the 2019-2020 NHSCC national championship.

Jack Trinh – Segerstrom – Girls Tennis

Segerstrom won the CIFSS Division 5 championship in November of 2019.

Aleka Estrada – Cornerstone Christian/Wildomar – Girls Volleyball

Cornerstone Christian won a Southern Section Division 5 title last November.

Mark Alex – Corona del Mar – Boys Wrestling

CdM won a Southern Section Dual Meet Division 6 Championship in February.

Jimmie Bowers – Corona – Girls Wrestling

Corona's girls wrestling program is nationally reputable under Bowers, who won the 2016-2017 HSGT Girls Wrestling Coach of the Year award.