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University of Hawai'i at Manoa Athletics

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Jay Metzger
Victor Santa Cruz Head Shot 2020

Victor Santa Cruz

YEARS COACHING
  • Hawai‘i: 2nd season 
  • Overall: 26th season 
  
COACHING EXPERIENCE
  • Hawai‘i, Associate Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator/Outside Linebackers (2020)
  • Azusa Pacific, Head Coach (2006-19), Defensive Coordinator (2004-05), Offensive Coordinator (2001-03)
  • El Camino High School, Linebackers (1996-2000)

COACHING HIGHLIGHTS
  • In his first season at his alma mater, helped direct a UH defense that led the conference in takeaways and ranked in the top 25 nationally in interceptions and passing yards allowed.
  • Boasts 25 years of coaching experience, including 14 seasons as a head coach Azusa Pacific.
  • Azusa Pacific’s all-time winningest coach with an overall record of 84-69.
  • Since 2013, led APU to four Great Northwest Athletic Conference championships and two NCAA Division II playoff appearances.
  • The Cougars won 41 of its final 50 conference games under Santa Cruz.
  • Mentored eight Cougars who signed with NFL or CFL organizations, including former NFL running back Terrell Watson and Baltimore Ravens long snapper Matt Orzech.
  • Guided the program's transition to Division II with a decade of rousing success.
  • The Cougars had eight winning seasons including back-to-back 10-win seasons and GNAC titles in 2013 and ’14.
  • APU added two more conference titles in 2016 and ’18.
  • APU claimed six consecutive GNAC academic team championships for posting the highest team GPA in the conference.
  • Prior to moving to Division II, Santa Cruz was recognized as the NAIA Independent Coach of the Year in 2010 and ’11.
  • The Cougars finished ranked No. 5 nationally in 2011.
  • Served as both the offensive coordinator (2001-03) and defensive coordinator (2004-05) at APU, before being named the ninth head coach in 2006.
  • In his first season as defensive coordinator in 2004, the Cougars allowed set a school-record low for points allowed per game (9.6) and registered an NAIA-leading 55 quarterback sacks.
  • In three NAIA playoff games that season, APU surrendered just 17 points, holding two of the NAIA's top four offenses (No. 1 Sioux Falls and No. 4 Northwestern Oklahoma) to a combined three points.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
  • Hawai‘i, 1991-94

PLAYING HIGHLIGHTS
  • A member of UH’s 1992 team that’s inducted in the school’s Sports Circle of Honor.
  • Key contributor at linebacker on a squad that claimed UH’s first Western Athletic Conference championship, defeated Illinois in the Holiday Bowl, and finished with a then-program record 11 wins.
  • Tallied 139 tackles (83 solo) while playing in 46 career games over four seasons.

EDUCATION
  • Hawai‘i, B.A., Economics (1995)
  • Azusa Pacific, M.S., Organizational Leadership (2010)
 
HOMETOWN
  • Vista, Calif.

PERSONAL
  • Wife: Jamie; Children: Victor, Jr., Izabella, and Levi