California Girls Coach of the Year: Carlos Barboza
In just his second full season of coaching the Saint Francis-Mountain View girls soccer team, Carlos Barboza helped the school achieve its goals of not only a Central Coast Section Open Division championship, but a NorCal State title as well…
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Continue ReadingIn just his second full season of coaching the Saint Francis-Mountain View girls soccer team, Carlos Barboza helped the school achieve its goals of not only a Central Coast Section Open Division championship, but a NorCal State title as well as a feather in the cap of a great season.
The Lancers went 25-1, finished ranked No. 1 in the State and yet another accolade for the program is that Barboza has been chosen as PrepSoccer’s girls coach of the year in California.
But it’s not just because he had a lot of wins and a lot of trophies. It’s how he got the team there. It’s his process, it’s his relationships, it’s his work ethic.
“He really connects with players and puts an emphasis on chemistry and team-building,” Mountain View High coach Jeff Panos said. “It also does a great deal of prep work before a match. He looks at the weaknesses of other teams and puts together a plan to give his team the best chance to succeed.”
Panos, who has got to know Barboza through the high school scene, but also because they coach at Mountain View Los Altos soccer club together, sees a guy who is just continuing to get better as a young coach.
“He has a very mature approach to coaching and he’s come a long way,” Panos said. “He has learned really quickly how to coach teenage girls and has done a great job. He makes things fun, he gives specific instructions on what they need to work on. He’s really good about giving direct feedback, but keeping it light and friendly.”
Bringing home trophies to Saint Francis means even more to Barboza, because he is a graduate of the school. He graduated from Saint Francis in 2009 and got his varsity letter there as well.
“He has a good deal of pride in being where he went to school and he is willing to give back to the place that gave him his education,” Panos said. “He embodies the spirit of Saint Francis.”
Barboza, however, is modest and humble and it is genuine. He gives all the credit to the girls and takes none of it for himself.
“It starts with having a special group of players and having a group like this made my job so much easier,” Barboza said. “They worked so hard and we watched so much film together. The girls are so smart and were able to adjust or implement a game plan very easily and quickly.”