LA VERNE, CA — University of La Verne Director of Athletics Dr. Jenna Panatier has announced Richard Sanchez as the Leopards' new head football coach. Sanchez brings over 30 years of coaching experience, including time at the NCAA Division I level and powerhouse high school programs.

"I am pleased to announce Richard Sanchez as the new head coach for the University of La Verne football team. After a comprehensive nationwide search, Coach Sanchez emerged as the most qualified candidate to lead our program and compete for SCIAC titles. We are excited to have him on board and I extend a warm welcome to him as he joins our Leopard family. I would also like to express my sincere gratitude to the search committee for their dedicated efforts in this important hire," said Panatier

Sanchez comes to La Verne after a successful career as the head football coach and associate director of athletics at Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa, where he amassed a 37-11 record. The Cardinals reached the CIF North Coast Section title game in each of his first three seasons, solidifying the program as a perennial championship contender.

"I would like to thank President Dickson and Athletic Director Panatier for their trust in me and the opportunity to be part of the La Verne community. This is a dream come true. We're going to build a winning culture based on hard work, alignment, and discipline. I'm excited to lead this program to new heights," said Sanchez.

Prior to Cardinal Newman, Sanchez spent the 2020 and 2021 seasons at NAIA Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida where he worked as the offensive coordinator, assistant head coach, and quarterbacks coach. He guided quarterback Cooper Jones to Mid-South Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors and mentored several all-conference recipients. Sanchez turned the Fire into an offensive juggernaut. Under his direction, Southeastern scored 35 points per game, averaged 435 yards per game, and boasted a 87.5% 4th down conversion.

Before heading to Florida, Sanchez spent three seasons under legendary coach Rocky Long at San Diego State University, where he coached defensive backs and served as the special teams assistant. In his first season with the Aztecs, he helped guide two all-Mountain West safeties, Tariq Thompson and Parker Baldwin, earning recognition for their exceptional performances in SDSU's renowned 3-3-5 defense. While on staff the Aztecs ranked near the top of the FBS in several defensive categories including turnovers (2nd), total defense (3rd), rush defense (2nd), interceptions (3rd), and pass efficiency (6th).

Sanchez enjoyed a remarkable career at the high school level as head coach at St. Augustine High School in San Diego from 2009 to 2017. During his tenure, Sanchez compiled an impressive 83-29 overall record, the most victories in school history. Under his leadership, the Saints won two CIF San Diego Section championships, three runner-up finishes, and five Eastern League titles.

Sanchez has also contributed to several collegiate programs during his career. He served as special teams coordinator at Sacramento State from 2005 to 2008, where his special teams units were among the elite in the Big Sky Conference. Three Sac State players garnered All-Big Sky accolades, including punter Mitch Lively, kick returner Andre Taylor and linebacker Calvin Robinson, who was the team's top performer in both kickoff and punt coverage. In his first season with the Hornets in 2005, Kris Daniels led the Big Sky with an average of 27.5 yards on kickoff returns, earning second-team all-conference honors. Sanchez also spent time coaching running backs and tight ends while with the Hornets.

Sanchez also coached at Valparaiso University, the University of San Diego, and was a graduate assistant at San Diego State. In his lone season as Valparaiso's defensive backs coach and special teams coordinator, he helped guide the Crusaders defense to a No. 1 ranking in Division I-AA, allowing just 128.8 passing yards per game. Defensive backs Chris Daniels and Brad Smeja earned All-Pioneer League honors.

In two seasons at USD, Sanchez led the running back and the special teams units. He tutored running back Evan Harney to Division I-AA Mid-Major All-America distinction after setting a single-season school record with 1,475 yards rushing.

In his first stint at San Diego State, Sanchez worked with the offensive line as a graduate assistant. He helped coach three all-Mountain West offensive linemen, Chester Pitts, David Moreno and Jonathan Ingram. Pitts was a second-round draft choice of the Houston Texans in 2002.

He has also coached professionally, completing an internship with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian football league during the summer of 2022.

Sanchez began his coaching career down the street from La Verne at Montclair High School. He was the Cavaliers' head coach from 1994-1998 and earned 1995 Mount Baldy League Coach of the Year recognition after leading them to a 9-3 record. Sanchez then moved to San Diego High School where he worked as the head football coach and athletic director, turning around a squad that had lost 20 straight games into an 11-9 record in two seasons.

He was also honored with the 2016 National Football Foundation Meritorious Coach of the Year award.

A former standout player, Sanchez played two seasons at New Mexico State University, and twice earned Big West Player of the Week honors as a wide receiver and kick returner. He played for Southwestern College in Chula Vista and was named the Most Valuable Player of the Hall of Fame Bowl in 1988. Sanchez furthered his playing career in semi-professional football with the San Bernardino Blitz.

"It's an honor to be here, and we're ready to compete at the highest level. We're going to play with passion, discipline, and intensity every game. I would like to thank my wife Maria, my daughter Kristiana, and my son Richard for their never-ending love and support," added Sanchez.

Sanchez holds a bachelor's degree in physical education from New Mexico State University and a master's degree in exercise and nutritional sciences from San Diego State University.