Redlands, Calif. – With more than 445 collegiate wins, Head Men's Soccer Coach Ralph Perez has announced that the 2025 season will be his final season at the University of Redlands.
"This has been the most enjoyable experience I have had in collegiate coaching. I have had the privilege of working with outstanding people like Director of Athletics Jeff Martinez, former Head Athletic Trainer Janelle Kratz, and Head Women's Soccer and Lacrosse Coach Suzette Soboti," Perez stated. "I am grateful for my assistant coaches, who have been instrumental in continuing the high-caliber experience in Bulldog men's soccer. I inherited a great program and hope to provide one for the next coach."
A familiar face to the U.S. soccer scene, Perez has accumulated 50 years of experience dating back to his first coaching position at Whittier College in 1974. He has enjoyed several collegiate coaching stints, including those at Old Dominion University (VA), Santa Clara University, Cal State Fullerton, and the University of Redlands. Furthermore, he founded the Cal State San Bernardino women's program and the Cal State Los Angeles men's team, which made an NCAA Championship appearance in its fourth season.
Highlighting his collegiate success, Perez has led each of his former institutions to one or more conference titles while also securing the respective coach-of-the-year honor.
Perez's longest tenure has come at the University of Redlands, where he has amassed an 18-year winning percentage of .736 with 255 wins, including 190 in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). Under his leadership, the Bulldogs have won 10 regular-season championships, qualified for the conference tournament every year since its inception (excluding a COVID-impacted 2020 season), and advanced to the NCAA Championships on seven occasions. His team earned a spot in the NCAA quarterfinals in 2007 and 2016 and made appearances in the round of 16 in 2011 and 2021.
"From the moment I stepped on campus in 2021, I knew we had a special coach in Ralph Perez," stated Krista Newkirk, University President. "I have witnessed his leadership, passion, and knowledge from inside the huddle on more than one occasion. We have been incredibly fortunate to have him as our coach, and I expect nothing but a phenomenal final season from him and his team."
The four-time United Soccer Coaches (formerly National Soccer Coaches Association of America) West Region Coach of the Year (2011, 2015, 2016, 2021) has coached nine All-America selections, eleven SCIAC Athletes of the Year, and numerous All-Region honorees during his time with the University of Redlands men's soccer program.
"I owe Ralph so much. He has made such an incredible impact on so many people's lives. No matter the level, he has been the best coach I have ever had," said Richie Marquez '14, Bulldog alum and former MLS Philadelphia Union player. "He always pushed us to become better and he cares about you as a person first. Ralph is not only a coach and mentor to me, but he has become a second dad and a very good friend. Without Ralph, I would not have had the professional soccer experience that I had. These memories are among those that I will cherish for the rest of my life because of him."
Perez's 2011 men's soccer team entered the Bulldog Bench Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in October 2023. That squad finished the season ranked No. 12 in the country with a 20-3-2 overall record, which included a 16-game winning streak and a 14-0-0 conference record. The Bulldogs shared the national total goal-scoring title with 87 goals, finished second with 73 assists, third in goals per game (3.48), ninth for save percentage (0.80), tied for ninth in shutout percentage (0.60), and 12th for goals-against-average (0.58).
"Ralph has been a great colleague and friend, as well as a tremendous coach, mentor, and leader for our student-athletes and his fellow coaches. When we hired him at the University of Redlands in 2006, I never imagined we would be able to retain him for all these years, given his experiences and connections in the soccer community," added Martinez. "The fact he has remained an NCAA DIII coach and a Bulldog the past 18-plus years says a lot about his passion for mentoring young people and commitment to positively impacting them during a very formative time in their lives."
In addition, Perez became a Hall of Famer at his alma mater SUNY Oneonta and Brentwood High School in New York. He earned the distinction for his contributions as a student-athlete and member of the national finalist team at Oneonta.
In January 2012, he received the Walt Chyzowych Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest coaching accolade in the United States. With the recognition, he joined the company of Bruce Arena, Sigi Schmid, Bob Gansler, and Anson Dorrance, among others.
While at ODU, Perez guided the Monarchs to their first Colonial Athletic Association Championship in 1991. In addition, he garnered South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year plaudits following that inaugural accomplishment for ODU.
While with the Broncos of Santa Clara, Perez was named the Far West Region Coach of the Year in 1983.
Throughout his coaching tenure, Perez has had numerous student-athletes move onto the professional and international ranks. Furthermore, he has established himself on these elite levels by serving on the staff of the U.S. National Men's Team and within Major League Soccer (MLS).
Beginning in 1978, Perez worked as the U.S. National Staff Coach and eventually helped the U.S. Team qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 40 years during the 1990 season. He also led the 1989 World Cup Under-20 Team to a fourth-place finish, boasting the best results for that squad in program history.
"I was immediately impressed the first time I met him. He knows his stuff, he works hard, and he cares about people. Ralph is going to leave the place better off than when he started. When I started coaching the Under-20 National Team and I needed someone to make me look good, I immediately thought of Ralph. He is always going to make others better," commented Bob Gansler, former World Cup and US Men's National Team Coach. "There is no way you're going to keep Ralph away from soccer. He is a lifer in our sport. He will find ways to be involved and make others better. He is extraordinary."
From 1996 through 2003, Perez worked as an assistant coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy and New York-New Jersey MetroStars, before serving as the Director of Coaching and Youth Development from 2003-2005.
With the LA Galaxy, he contributed to the team's overwhelming success, highlighted by the 2002 MLS Cup Championship, the 2001 US Open Cup Championship, and the 2000 CONCACAF Championship, in addition to numerous final appearances.
While a member of the New York-New Jersey MetroStars, he coached alongside many of the greatest coaches in soccer history, including Carlos Queiroz (Manchester United, Real Madrid, Portugal National Team) and Carlos Alberto Parreira (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa World Cup teams).
In addition to a coaching certificate from FIFA, Perez holds U.S. Soccer National "A" and U.S. National Instructor Coaching licenses. Perez is likely the only soccer coach in America to coach teams at all three NCAA Divisions, NAIA, U.S. National, Olympic, and World Cup designations.
"I am grateful for the support of my entire family, especially my wife Marisa, who has been my rock," Perez added. "I look forward to traveling and spending more time with my family and grandkids while also continuing to work for the good of this beautiful game."
