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

Lance Smith, SBLive Sports | Nov 10, 2020

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.

Published Nov 10, 2020

LANCE SMITH, SBLIVE SPORTS

Lance Smith is a veteran high school sports reporter who worked previously with SBLive Sports covering basketball, football, and softball in California's Southern Section and LA City Section and has returned as contributor to High School On SI in 2025. He also covers Nevada and National Girls Basketball. A graduate of The USC Marshall School of Business, Smith dabbles in linear algebra and football and basketball computer rankings.