Pirates retain Bubba Gonzalez as head football coach

COSTA MESA – After searching the country for its next head football coach, Orange Coast College found its choice right in its own backyard. The Pirates have retained Joel "Bubba" Gonzalez as their full-time head coach, becoming the eighth head football coach in the school's 71-year history.

"I am very excited for the future of Coast Football under the leadership of Coach Gonzalez," Athletics Director Jason Kehler said. "The groundwork that Bubba laid last season is just the beginning of what our football program can be. His focus on mentorship, student success, and development of the student-athlete as a whole are just a few of the traits that set Bubba apart. Combine that with his experience in football, and I truly believe that the Pirates will be a team on the rise."

For Gonzalez, the hiring decision was a positive cap on several weeks of uncertainty. "After last season ended, I went into this offseason preparing for next year in the hopes I would be able to stay here," Gonzalez said.  "Once [Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics, Michael Sutliff] offered it to me, I took a huge breath and was so happy. I'm so glad to stay here and be a part of this college.

"In one way, after I was offered the job, the weight of the world fell off my shoulders, but then, a different kind of weight of the world came on. Now it's time to move forward and develop this program into something this school and community can be proud of."

Gonzalez was named OCC's interim head coach for the 2018 season. In spite of a rough season in terms of wins and losses (1-9), the first-year coach earned the respect of his players, his coaching staff and the administrators on campus.

"Yeah I was worried about the record being a factor, but more importantly for me, I wanted to create a positive culture with our team, with a focus on player behavior and development," Gonzalez said. "I received so many compliments throughout our campus on how our players acted and behaved off the field. Looking at last year, we wanted to play some of the top teams in the area and we competed well. If we want to have a big program, we will have to play against other big programs to prepare our guys and show them where we want to be."

Prior to last year, Gonzalez was OCC's defensive line coach for two seasons and helped lead nine defensive linemen to earn NCAA and NAIA scholarships. Before he came to OCC, Gonzalez began his coaching career in 2009 as the assistant offensive line coach at Villa Park High School.  From there, Gonzalez moved on to Mater Dei High School where he coached for six seasons as the offensive line coach and the defensive line coach.  While at Mater Dei, Gonzalez helped the Monarchs reach the CIF playoffs five out of six seasons and coached in two CIF championship games. 

In his six years at Mater Dei, Gonzalez mentored numerous players and helped them reach their goals of playing football in college.  Prior to coaching football, Gonzalez worked as a police officer for the Fountain Valley Police Department.

"As a head coach, I want to make sure the players and parents know I'm a coach that cares – not just with words, but with actions," Gonzalez said. "I want to help them become successful young men, both on and off the football field. Every player and parent that comes here will know that I am here for them."

Gonzalez played football at Mater Dei High School where he helped his team reach the CIF finals his junior year and winning the national championship during his senior year.  After high school, Gonzalez attended Saddleback College for a year before earning a full scholarship to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.  He finished his playing career at UNLV and was voted as team captain his senior year.

After UNLV, Gonzalez played semi-professional and professionally for two years after college before retiring.  He is married to Kawehionalani and they have three sons. 

Prior to coaching football, Gonzalez worked as a police officer for the Fountain Valley Police Department. 

"I am very excited for the football program and the hiring of Joel 'Bubba' Gonzalez," OCC's Dean of Kinesiology and Athletics, Michael Sutliff, said. "Bubba brings strong leadership to a program that was seeking a new identity, and he has a clear vision and process for establishing a foundation of success. I was impressed with his focus on student athletic and academic development in addition to his ability to mentor others. He has the respect of the faculty and staff across the division and is very well respected within the football community. I anticipate tremendous growth and stability in our football program under his leadership, and we are very fortunate to have Bubba serve as our head football coach."

The Pirate football program has won nine conference titles and two national championships in its history, but it's a program that is in rebuilding mode and that's a task that Gonzalez will not shy away from.

"This is a school that CAN have a successful football program," Gonzalez said. "Just look at our facilities, where we are located and the foundation of our athletic department and campus as a whole. Student-athletes that come to OCC will be successful on and off the field if they put in the work. We want players here who are tough, who want to be better and who want to go to school. It's not just football here; we want to teach them how to be successful in life."

After getting a taste of things last year, Gonzalez sees a bright future with OCC football, but knows that Rome wasn't built in a day. "It's definitely coming together and I like the direction we are headed," Gonzalez said. "I'm also realistic and I know we are not where we need to be right now, but we will get there. We are constantly reevaluating things and we will bring in the right coaches to keep pushing this program in the right direction.

"Last year, we really focused on giving back to the community and we will continue to do that long-term. We want to be successful on the field too -- believe me, I like to win.  However, we will do it the right way, with the right people and with the right coaches. OCC is committed to doing things the right way and so am I."