MEN’S SOCCER: HORNETS WELCOME NEW SOCCER COACH
The Fullerton College men's soccer program will have a new look this coming fall with the selection of new head coach Greg Aviles.
Coach Aviles is now the fifth coach in the history of the men's soccer program that began in 1976 (Jim Pasquale 1976-1999, Jim Gasso 2000-2002, Scott Giles 2003-2007, Alex Perez 2008-2015).
Aviles is a Southern California native where he was the soccer captain and graduate of Santa Fe High School. He later went on to play soccer at Santiago Canyon College, which lead him later to California State University of Fullerton to continue his education and earn a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Kinesiology with an Emphasis in Sports Psychology & Coaching.
Upon graduation, he founded the 10 Soccer Academy, which focuses on the holistic development of young soccer athletes. Using his multi-sport background, combined with an education in sports psychology the coaching philosophy of athlete-development began; thus the passion to help others reach their "true" potential. It has always been imperative to Greg that players be formed both on and off the field in the forms of character, integrity, and values. He has always described sports and coaching as an art form to express the way he views life.
Soon after, he began coaching with top clubs and programs like the San Bernardino Blast Soccer Club, Villa Park Men's Soccer program, Chaffey College Men's Soccer team, and Pumas from Mexico in their first U.S. expansion academy. He then went on to receive a U.S.S.F National "B" License from the U.S. Soccer Federation, and a Master's Degree from Concordia University in Coaching & Athletic Administration. During the process of obtaining his Master's, he began working as Mt. San Antonio College Women's Soccer Assistant Coach and was later named Associate Head Coach. With Aviles' assistance, the Mounties went on to achieve several top conference finishes, consistent playoff appearances and achieve national and state rankings. As a professor of Kinesiology and faculty member, he has aided in developing curriculum for both the Kinesiology and Fire Science departments, assisted in thriving success of the department as an educator, and also served on projects for the CCCAA and Mt. San Antonio College Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame committee.
Aviles' local success later earned him the position of Head Coach of Women's Soccer at Yorba Linda High School in their inaugural season. The Mustangs have since developed from a program of all freshmen student-athletes to becoming one of the most accomplished programs in North Orange County with just being in existence for 7 seasons. Under the direction of Coach Aviles, the Mustangs have moved over 20 players to college soccer programs, raised over $75,000 for the With Hope Foundation, established a nationally ranked tournament which brings Southern California's top high school teams together and raises awareness for teen suicide prevention, won 2 League Championships, never finished below second in any of their seasons, successfully reached CIF-SS Quarterfinals 6 out of 6 seasons, CIF-SS Div. 3 Semi-Finalist in 2013-2014, CIF Div. 3 Finalist & State Quarter-Finalist in 2015-2016, and propelled the program from its inaugural non-competitive season to CIF-SS Division 1 status for the 2016-17 season. As a result, Coach Aviles was named 2016 OC Varsity Orange County Girls' Soccer Coach of the Year.
Greg has recently spent time growing as a coach and working with nationally recognized organizations such as LHSC Eclipse and Slammers FC. Along the way, he has dedicated his coaching career to assisting young players to develop into successful student-athletes, and aiding their promotion into collegiate institutions and professional organizations. Over the course of the last few years he has notably placed many players into NCAA & NAIA programs, and worked very closely with several professional Soccer organizations such as the MLS Philadelphia Union and Argentina Football Association. He currently resides as the Director of Coaching for CDA Slammers FC in the North Orange County area, and is developing programs and curriculum for Slammers FC Boys' teams as they prepare for their migration from the BCC league to the U.S. Soccer Academy.
Future plans include obtaining the U.S.S.F "A" license, and returning to school for a Ph.D. in Sports Psychology. As for now, he spends his free time attending his local church and enjoying family life with his wife Ari and children Katin (6), Erin (5), and Talan (1).
"I feel very blessed to be here at Fullerton College and to be a part of the Hornet family. I am very excited to work with the community, the students, and faculty here. My goal is to build a successful soccer program that will make the FC faithful proud", Coach Greg Aviles.
