Karina Rodriguez
Sports Editor
Discipline, teamwork and respect are part of the culture that Richard Sanchez is cultivating as new head coach for the University of La Verne’s football program this season.
Sanchez was born and raised in San Diego County and lived in a town called National City in California.
He got into the sport of football because it matched his competitive nature.
“I think the most fascinating thing about the game of football is that there’s rules, whether they’re written or unwritten, about respecting the game,” Sanchez said. “If I had to put something on it, it’s the competition as a very competitive person,” Sanchez said.
Prior to coming to the University, he coached for Cardinal Newman High School in Santa Rosa.
Sanchez began his career at Montclair High School, where he was head coach from 1994 to 1998. He has also held head coaching positions at San Diego High School and St. Augustine High School in San Diego.
Sanchez has also previously coached at the University of San Diego, Valparaiso University in Valparaiso, Indiana and was a graduate assistant coach at San Diego State University.
He played for two seasons at New Mexico State University, where he earned his bachelor of science physical education. He earned his master of science in exercise and nutritional science from San Diego State University.
Sanchez has his work cut out for him. Last season, the La Verne team did not win a single game.
Sanchez, who started coaching over the summer, said believes discipline was what was lacking.
“When you look at a program that hasn’t had a lot of success. One of the first things you look at is the discipline part of it,” Sanchez said. “Not just kids showing up to practice on daily basis but the discipline within the lines of scrimmage, making sure they’re doing all the right things at all times and effort.”
Sanchez credits some of his career success to his supportive family: his wife, Maria, a play therapist, daughter; Kristiana, 27; and son, Richard, 22.
“As long as you’re best friends with your wife, I think you can work through anything,” Sanchez said. “We’ve been through a lot together and that’s why I am successful because I am near the right person,” Sanchez said. “It takes a lot of commitment from a spouse.”
Sophomore wide receiver Ethan Veta echoed Sanchez’s idea that while the team had great players, it lacked discipline.
“We had a really talented group,” Veta said. “I mean we had a couple of the players transferred up to higher division schools but it lacked discipline.”
Veta said Sanchez carries himself differently.
“What Coach Sanchez does differently is that he commands respect and authority and he means business,” Veta said.
Freshman offensive line player Jordan Garcia appreciates Sanchez as well.
“He will go through with every player on what they’re supposed to do,” Garcia said. “Rather than just overseeing everything and yelling at mistakes, he’ll really go through the position and explain why it works.”
Despite knowing Sanchez for just a few months, Garcia said he gets that his coach cares.
“If I am going through something I can definitely go to his door and talk to him about it and definitely will try to find ways to help you out,” Garcia said.
Senior tight end Julian Martinez, who has been on the University of La Verne’s football team since his freshman year, is also happy with Sanchez’ style.
“You can see Coach Sanchez on the sidelines coaching the other coaches and telling them what to tell the other players,” Martinez said. “It’s a new year and I think this is going to be the best year ULV football has…seen in decades,” Martinez said.
Karina Rodriguez can be reached at karina.rodriguez3@laverne.edu.
Karina Rodriguez is a senior journalism major with a concentration in broadcast journalism, and editor-in-chief of the Campus Times. She has previously served as sports editor, social media editor, arts editor and a staff writer.
Antonio Ceniceros is a senior photography major and a staff photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. He is also the lead photographer and social media manager for the University of La Verne’s football team, and currently specializes in sports, concert, and fashion photography. You can find his work on Instagram at @flicksbycinco..
