Cougar Athletics
30 NAIA National Championships
95 GSAC Championships
...and counting

vsantacruz@apu.edu

Tradition and precedent dictated that Azusa Pacific look outside for the next head coach, someone from beyond the boundaries of the campus. Not since 1978 had the university hired a football coach from within the ranks, and considering that the 2 previous head coaches, both of whom led the Cougars into the NAIA playoffs, came from other schools, it seemed apparent that the new coach would be an outsider.

Not this time though. Not when someone of Victor Santa Cruz’s skills was already in the fold. On Dec. 14, 2005, Santa Cruz was promoted and was named Azusa Pacific’s ninth head coach in the program’s 42-year history, taking over for Peter Shinnick. The decision to move up Santa Cruz not only a created a seamless transition within one of the NAIA’s premier programs, but it was made rather easily because Santa Cruz earned the promotion.

“I’m a passionate guy,” said Santa Cruz. “I’m passionate about Jesus Christ, my family and Azusa Pacific. I want to see young men leave this program and be successful husbands, fathers, employees and employers.”

Entering his seventh year on the Cougar coaching staff, his second as the head coach, Santa Cruz has made a significant impact on the program. His first team as a head coach, last year’s 2006 squad, was named to the first-ever NAIA Scholar Team.

Santa Cruz came to Azusa Pacific in 2001. During his first 3 seasons he served as the offensive coordinator, overseeing the development of the program’s all-time leading passer (Luke Winslow) the fourth-best all-time rusher (Ben Buys).

However, it was 3 years ago, when he became the Cougar defensive coordinator that Santa Cruz’s star really began to shine. In his first year as the Cougars’ defensive coordinator, Santa Cruz spearheaded what is arguably the best defense in program history – the 2004 Cougar defenders. A unit not necessarily gifted with size but rather with an inordinate amount of speed and ruggedness, the 2004 Cougar defense allowed just 135 points in 14 games (school-record low 9.6 points a game) and registered an NAIA-leading 55 quarterback sacks. Better yet, in 3 NAIA playoff games, the Cougars surrendered just 17 points, holding 2 of the NAIA’s top 4 offenses (No. 1 Sioux Falls and No. 4 Northwestern Oklahoma) to a combined 3 points.

Despite losing several key figures from that squad, it was still the 2005 Cougar defense that propelled Azusa Pacific back to the NAIA playoffs for a sixth time in 8 years.

Prior to arriving at Azusa Pacific for his first collegiate coaching assignment, Santa Cruz spent 5 seasons as an assistant at El Camino High School in Oceanside, Calif., coaching the linebackers. He served under longtime high school head coach Herb Meyer.

At the same time Santa Cruz worked as the San Diego County director of Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a position that first introduced him to Azusa Pacific. While with the FCA he established the infrastructure for its 1999 start-up and then raised funds for the $200,000 annual budget.

Santa Cruz played his collegiate ball at the University of Hawaii, where he was a 4-year linebacker for the Rainbows, tallying 139 tackles (83 solo) during his career. He redshirted the 1990 season and then played in 46 games over the next 4 seasons (1991-94). As a 1992 sophomore, he played on the rainbows’ Western Athletic Conference championship team that defeated Illinois, 27-17, in the Holiday Bowl.

Now as a collegiate coach, Santa Cruz has not only been credited for building stellar defenses but also greatly enhancing the atmosphere of the Cougar football program and impacting the lives of players who have come through the program.

“I’ve come to realize in my coaching career that no matter what level of football you’re at, you and your players want to win,” said Santa Cruz. “Moving up or staying isn’t necessarily my goal but rather making an impression on my players, working hard, and raising my family are.”

Santa Cruz created and is the director of Azusa Pacific’s “Camp of Champs,” an annual summer youth football camp focused on character and skill development. He also has developed and directs the APU Football Academic Organization and Success Strategy, a program that works with all transfers and freshmen in their quest for achievement in the classroom.

The son of a former U.S. marine major, Santa Cruz lived in Hawaii, Arizona, Japan, Orange County and finally San Diego, where he became a prep standout at Rancho Buena Vista High School in Vista, Calif. He was the Palomar League Defensive Player of the Year while collecting All-CIF honors during his 1989 senior campaign.

Prior to his coaching career, Santa Cruz worked in sales and marketing for the Sport Supply Group.

Santa Cruz graduated from the University of Hawaii with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1995.

Victor, who also teaches in the university’s exercise and sports science department lives in Rancho Cucagmonga with his wife Jamie and their 3 children, Victor, Jr. (6), Izabella (4), and Levi (1).