Bio

Ricardo Garza will be taking over as the head coach of both the STLCC women's and men's soccer program in the Fall 2022 season. Coach Garza has an abundance of experience as a coach in the NJCAA and Region XVI.

Ricardo helped launch Jefferson College men’s soccer program in 2005, assisting the team to four consecutive Region XVI Championships, three consecutive District Championships, and three consecutive National Championship appearances.  In 2006, Ricardo helped lead the Jefferson College Vikings to a national title.  During his fourth season, Garza took over the program as head coach and continued the legacy he helped build.

In his first season as head coach in 2009, Ricardo led the team to a 15-3 overall record, going undefeated in MCCAC Conference and Region XVI competition.  Ricardo also led the team to a #1 ranking 2009 and was named Region XVI Coach of the Year.

From 2011 – 2014 Ricardo’s teams remained a top 10 ranked team in the country and won a MCCAC Championship, two Region XVI Championships and one District Championship.  In 2012, Ricardo led Jefferson to the National Tournament for the fourth time in his career.

In 2015 Ricardo won the MCCAC Conference and Region XVI Championship, gaining another National Tournament appearance before his final season in 2016. Ricardo has been awarded Region XVI Coach of the Year six times in his career.

Region XVI Record: 58-14-2          MCCAC Record: 37-7       Coaching Career Record: 105-48-4

Ricardo took pride in having one of the most competitive out of region/conference schedules in the country throughout his career.  His teams gained a lot of experience by playing nationally ranked teams every season.  He believes traveling all over the country to give his players a true developmental experience is worth the hard work.  The rewards of having a competitive schedule are shown below with his players continuing their young soccer careers at the following colleges and universities.  

Division 1                                              Division 2                                  Division 3                      Division NAIA

Clemson University                              Newman University                   Westminster College    Culver Stockton College

Lipscomb University                             Lynn University                         Illinois College              Tennessee Wesleyan College

Saint Peters College                             Tusculum College                                                             Lindenwood University

University of Albany                             Maryville University                                                         Central Methodist University

University of South Florida                  Wingate University                                                           Columbia College

North Carolina State University          University of West Florida                                                Southern Poly University

Western Kentucky University             Mars Hills College                                                              Lindsey Wilson College

Fairleigh Dickinson University           University of Indianapolis                                                 St. Thomas University

East Tennessee State University        Chaminade University Hawaii                                          Concordia University

San Francisco University                     Lindenwood University                                                   Missouri Baptist University

Georgia Southern University              McKendree University                                                      Point University

Northern Illinois University                Young Harris College                                                      Grand View University

Saint Louis University

Marshall University

Seton Hall University

IUPUI

Niagara University

Eastern Illinois University

Oregon State University

Ricardo is committed to developing his players for the next level and his coaching philosophy is very disciplined.  He has always kept in touch with his alumni and his priority is to help his players move on to NCAA or NAIA to finish their education and playing career.

Ricardo also co-founded an international soccer academy in South America called Club Atletico Juniors and Club Atletico CRSA in Africa.  Ricardo has been offering free soccer training with his NPSL team, Club Atletico Saint Louis, in the city of St. Louis for years.  His mission is to launch the first free youth soccer club in St. Louis and offer an equal opportunity to all youth.

Ricardo played in Region XVI for STLCC-Forest Park under Pat McBride before transferring to East Central College and leading them to their first Region XVI Championship Championship as a forward.  Ricardo grew up in South St. Louis and attended Epiphany of our Lord and Bishop DuBourg High School.  Ricardo is supported by his family of five with wife, Allison, son Nico and daughters Layla and Giavanna.  Ricardo is very involved in the community, serving as a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Board member of the Hispanic Leaders Group, Hispanic Festival Inc., LatinX Events and works as a video marketer for The Hill Business Association.