"It's a real honor and to be recognized by my peers and to win that type of award is such a prestigious thing," Gonzalez said. "It's a dream come true. I never imagined I would be coach of the year for the state of California."

Gonzalez added that receiving the award wouldn't have been possible without the help of assistants Greg Varela, Mike Koester, Marty Serrano and Dan Locsin, as well as the support from GHS' administration. Gonzalez will be honored June 14 at a banquet in Sacramento. He is also up for a national award after having two second place finalists and one national champion in Martin Gonzalez and Hunter Collins, and Jesse Delgado, respectively.