Raz named UCI men’s soccer coach
Yossi Raz, who guided Cal Poly Pomona to the NCAA Division II title game in 2015, was named men’s soccer coach at UC Irvine on Thursday.
Raz, 58-17-12 in four seasons at Cal Poly Pomona, replaced Chris Volk, whose contract was not renewed after posting a 10-24-5 record (6-11-3 in the Big West Conference) in his two seasons at the helm.
Raz was California Collegiate Athletic Assn. Coach of the Year in 2014 after leading the Broncos to conference regular-season and tournament championships.
His teams won 17 games in 2014 and 2015 and reached the third round of the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2016.
“I look forward to the challenges of holding a prestigious position at a fantastic institution,” Raz said in a statement. “I believe that we can be a special soccer program that the community, athletic department, and campus will be proud of.”
“Yossi clearly has a proven track record of recruiting exceptional soccer players and developing their talents on the field, but his unique approach that encompasses the student-athlete experience was a real driving force that impressed us,” UCI Athletic Director Mike Izzi said.
“He is fully invested in the challenges of building a culture at UC Irvine that embodies the ideals of the institution, which ultimately leads to graduating student-athletes and enhancing their skills to thrive throughout their lives,” Izzi said.
Raz is no stranger to the Big West Conference mentality as he was part of the soccer program at Cal State Northridge for 13 years, four as a student-athlete and nine more as an assistant coach. Raz was named first-team All-Big West in each of his four seasons and was Big West Freshman of the Year.
Raz joined the Matadors’ coaching staff in 2005 and made an immediate impact, helping CSUN go 15-4-3 record and earn a Big West championship. The Matadors reached the round of 16 in the NCAA Tournament, defeating league rival UC Santa Barbara in the program’s lone Division I Tournament victory.
Off the pitch, Raz was president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was selected for the NCAA Leadership Conference. His interest in academics continued on as an assistant coach at CSUN, as he was involved in the academic and social progress of his student-athletes and later at Cal Poly Pomona, consistently recognized by the Division of Student Affairs for his program’s 100% graduation rate.
“My past history allows me to understand and appreciate the quality of the Big West, both as a student-athlete and former coach.” Raz said. “UC Irvine has always been an exemplary institution and athletic department within the conference, and I feel fortunate to now be a part of it and look forward to building great memories in the future.”
Raz’s coaching circle includes the youth level, where he has recruited talent for the U.S. youth national team as a scout and coach. He has participated in coaching clinics in Guatemala, Brazil, and Spain, as well as being a training participant in Israel where he was born and raised. Raz previously spent time with the Israeli youth national team.
Raz is the fourth head coach in UCI men’s soccer history as the program prepares for its 34th season.
— From staff reports