University of Redlands

Claudio Rivas joined the Bulldogs prior to the 2000 season as anassistant to the men’s soccer program, bringing over 20 yearsof playing and coaching experience to the University of Redlands.In addition to working at the college level, Rivas provides hissoccer expertise to local high school teams.

After building a strong program in two years as the headgirls’ soccer coach at Redlands East Valley High School,Rivas took over the boys’ program in 2002, leading theWildcats to the school’s first Citrus Belt League title and aplayoff appearance in his inaugural season. Rivas also served asthe head coach of the boys' soccer team at Redlands High Schoolfrom 2004 to 2007. After leading the team to a playoff appearancein 2004, Rivas was named CIF Coach of the Year by the RiversidePress-Enterprise. In 2007 Rivas joined Yucaipa High School asan advisor to the boys’ soccer program and later took overthe program in 2008.

Credentialed with the United States Soccer Federation“B” coaching license and Youth National coachinglicense, Rivas is also active in the California Youth SoccerAssociation-South (CalSouth), holding clinics for coaches to helpthem earn their certification. He is also a member of the coachingstaff for CalSouth and Region IV Olympic Development Program.

In addition to all of his work with soccer, Rivas has been anemployee at Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) inRedlands for more than 20 years.

A semi-professional soccer player during the 1980s, Rivas nowstays active by coaching local soccer club teams, riding hisbicycle and working out at the gym. Beginning in 2004, he hascompeted in the 50-mile Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Race several times.He also enjoys returning to his native Mexico, where he and hiswife, Leah, stroll through the streets sampling PuertoNuevo’s lobsters. Rivas takes pleasure in coaching because itreleases everyday tensions in his life and also allows him to teachthe game he loves to a new generation of players. A father toElizabeth and grandfather to Alexis Copas, Rivas resides with hiswife in Redlands.