AZUSA, Calif. -- Azusa Pacific did not have to look long or far to find its next mentor of the football program. Defensive coordinator Victor Santa Cruz has been tabbed as the new football head coach for NAIA powerhouse Azusa Pacific, Director of Athletics Bill Odell announced Wednesday.

Santa Cruz, 33, becomes the ninth head coach in the program’s 41-year history, replacing Peter Shinnick, who earlier this week was named the head coach at North Carolina-Pembroke.

“I am grateful to the administration for entrusting me with this position,” said Santa Cruz in accepting his first head coaching assignment. “I am excited to stay at Azusa Pacific, and we’re going forward as a winning program – not stalling out. We will continue to build champions while pursuing championships.”

Santa Cruz has spent the past 5 seasons with the program, the last 2 as defensive coordinator of one of the best units in the NAIA. Previously, he was the offensive coordinator for 3 seasons. In his Cougar tenure he has also served as the program’s strength and conditioning coach. Since his arrival, the Cougars have posted a record of 38-15 (.717) and reached the postseason 3 consecutive seasons.

In taking over the defensive duties prior to 2004, Santa Cruz transformed the unit, employing a swarming “odd-front” scheme that resulted in the top-ranked defense in the NAIA (212.1 avg.). His defense led the nation by allowing only 60.8 rushing yards per game with an average of 1.8 yards per carry. Led by 4 All-Americans, the Cougar defense also led the NAIA with 55 sacks in reaching the NAIA semifinals.

“Azusa Pacific football has a solid foundation and is headed in the right direction,” said Odell, “and there was no need to look anywhere but internally in hiring our next coach. Victor has an outstanding football mind and has been well-trained to assume this mantle of leadership. I’m pleased with Victor’s spiritual integrity, his exceptional knowledge of both sides of the ball, and his administrative skills.”

As offensive coordinator, Santa Cruz worked primarily with the running backs and tight ends. In 2003, he enabled running back Ben Buys to average 142 yards rushing a game en route to All-American honors.

“My intention is to get more involved with the offense,” said Santa Cruz. “I want to be able to run a little more power. I’m excited about our route combos and the running game. I want other teams to say that we were the toughest team they played.”

Santa Cruz came to Azusa Pacific in 2001 after developing a friendship with Shinnick through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

“I am very excited for Victor and the Cougar football program,” said Shinnick as he talked from Pembroke, N.C. “Victor has been a major reason for the success we have had the past 5 years, and I believe that under his leadership Azusa Pacific football will continue to reach new heights.”

Santa Cruz spent 5 seasons as an assistant coach at El Camino High School in Oceanside, Calif., where he coached linebackers.

His work off the field has been equally impressive. He is the creator and director of the “Camp of Champs,” an annual summer youth football camp focused on character and skill development. He is also the creator and director of 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.

For 2 years he was the director of the San Diego County chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, designing the infrastructure for its start-up in 1999 and then fund-raising its annual $200,000 budget. He also worked in sales for the Sport Supply Group, serving as the Southern California Team Sales Director.

“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.”

The son of a former U.S. marine major, Santa Cruz lived in Hawaii, Japan, Orange County and San Diego and prepped at Rancho Buena Vista High in Vista, Calif., after playing his first 2 seasons at El Toro High. He graduated from the University of Hawaii with a bachelor’s degree in economics in 1995 after a 4-year career as a Rainbow linebacker, recording 139 tackles (83 solo). As a 1992 sophomore, he played on the Rainbows’ Western Athletic Conference championship team that defeated Illinois, 27-17, in the Holiday Bowl.

Santa Cruz’s assignment has been met with great enthusiasm.

“Coach Santa Cruz is the best fit for us and this program,” said sophomore linebacker Clint Shamblin. “I’m relieved that we will have the same coaching staff and keep the same program. It’s all similar but Coach Santa Cruz will bring a nice little change-up. He has a system, knows how to call plays and how to work personnel, getting the best out of them.”

Santa Cruz resides in Glendora, Calif. with his wife, Jamie, and their 2 children, Victor Jr. (4), and Izabella (2). They are expecting their third child in the spring of 2006.