GHS girls soccer coach will not return for 10th season

Jose Hernandez, Gilroy High School’s girls varsity soccer head coach for the past nine seasons, will not return next winter.
Hernandez is taking a year leave of absence for family reasons, and at the same time seeking an administrative or out-of-the-classroom job in San Jose, he said.
“I’m making some changes,” Hernandez said Friday. “I will definitely miss the girls. I don’t even want to think about that.”
During his time with the Mustangs, Hernandez led GHS to a remarkable six consecutive Tri-County Athletic League championships (2006-12) – a streak that saw the Mustangs post an astounding overall record of 61-3-8.
“It’s been really a lot of fun taking a program that was 0-12 in league my first year through the progress we have made as a program since,” Hernandez said.
GHS went a perfect 12-0-0 in 2009-10 and 11-0-1 twice during that six-year span. But the postseason victory was one that eluded the coach and his players – and that fact bothers Hernandez to the core.
“We lost every way possible,” he said. “We lost in sudden death one year, in penalty kicks, we had the lead and lost it. Anyway you can think of.”
Hernandez implemented an unwavering formula and standard the players took to with ease. Though demanding, he emphasized the positives, often asking players as they subbed in and out of action how they thought they did and what they needed.
He left the negative away from the game, and that approach, he said, reflected in the way he saw his players prepare for games.
“The last few years I let them control warm-ups and take that responsibility, which was neat to see,” he said.
Hernandez added that his brother, Carlos Hernandez, who has served as a full-time assistant coach the past three seasons, will apply for the job.
NOTE: Gilroy High is looking for new head coaches for boys basketball, tennis and volleyball as well and girls tennis, volleyball and soccer. Interested applicants can visit gusd.k12.ca.us for more information.