One of the most successful and respected coaches, 2008 NSCAA Coach of the Year and Toro alumnus Joe Flanagan led the Cal State Dominguez Hills men's soccer team to its second NCAA National Title in eight years last season, and begins his 16th season as head coach of the men's program, and eighth season with the women's squad.
Under his direction, during which both teams have combined to earn two NCAA Titles, four NCAA West Region crowns, seven CCAA Championships and 15 NCAA postseason appearances, Flanagan again and again has proven to the soccer community what many already know: that he possesses one of the finest soccer minds in the country, bar none.
In 2008, Flanagan guided the men's squad to the NCAA Title, dominating the NCAA postseason with a 5-0 mark, including three shutouts en route to the crown. This pinnacle followed two-consecutive CCAA Championships after CSUDH claimed the 2005 Far West Title over perennial power Seattle Pacific, a victory that put an end to a bitter string of heart-breakers that included a 5-4 penalty kick “loss” to CCAA Champion Cal State Bakersfield in 2004, and a 2-1 defeat to eventual NCAA Championship game participant Chico State one year earlier.
In 2000, Flanagan won the first of his NCAA Titles after an electrifying 2-1 four-overtime victory over host Barry University in Miami Shores, FL, and reached the title game again in 2001, only to fall in the final minutes to host University of Tampa by the same score.
Flanagan, the Toros' all-time winningest coach in CSUDH soccer history with a 226-78-23 overall career record, won his 200th game in a 1-0 overtime win against Cal State Stanislaus on October 19, 2007, and picked up his 4th career CCAA Coach of the Year award in 2005. He also claimed his second National Soccer Coaches Association of America National Coach of the Year last year to accompany the 2000 hardware, the CCAA and the NCAA II West Region Coach of the Year honors in 2001, and the first of four CCAA Coach of the Year honors in 1995 in just his second year as head coach of the men's program.
Entering 2009, Flanagan stands as the 4th winningest Division II men's head coach at 72.6% and 15th in total victories with 226 wins amongst active coaches, while coming in 7th in winning percentage and 25th in victories amongst both past and present D-II head coaches. In fact, with his 21 wins last sesaon, Flanagan now sits at 43rd in winning percentage amongst all coaches spanning all divisions, past and prsent, lead the program to 10 or more victories 13 times, including three seasons of 20 or more wins.
In his 15 years directing the men's program, Flanagan has coached 22 All-Americans including 2008 and 2000 NCAA II National Players of the Year Kevin Gallaugher and Juan Carlos Bolanos, respectively, five CCAA Players of the Year, 47 All-Region players, 93 All-CCAA and one CCAA Newcomer of the Year. Additionally, keeper Miguel Benitez was selected as an MLS League Pool keeper after the championship season, joining midfielder Alex Bengard, a 2000 First Team All-America selection drafted in the 6th round of the MLS SuperDraft by the Los Angeles Galaxy, and former All-American Toro forward Kei Kamara (2004-05), chosen as the 9th pick overall in the 2005 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on January 20, 2006 by the Columbus Crew.
On the women's side, Flanagan has produced one All-American, one All-Region MVP, two CCAA Players of the Year, 20 All-Region selections, 39 All-CCAA designees and consecutive CCAA Newcomers of the Year in just seven years at the helm of the program, adding a CCAA Conference crown in a thrilling 1-0 double overtime win over Chico State in 2004.
Last year the Toro women made the NCAA playoffs for the fifth time in the past six years, notching a first-round win over San Francisco State before falling to top-seeded Western Washington in Bellingham, a 2nd-round appearance that mirrored the 2007 campaign that saw CSUDH defeat a CCAA school (UCSD) before falling to the top seed.
A true fixture in the South Bay and Cal State Dominguez Hills community, Flanagan has been associated with the University for over 20 years as a player and coach. He was a star midfielder for the Toros from 1986-89 under former head coach Marine Cano, earning All-Far West Region and All-CCAA honors three times. In 2000-01, Flanagan was honored as the Alumni of the Year by the CSUDH Alumni Association for his outstanding achievements on and off the field, as well as for being an excellent ambassador to the surrounding South Bay communities.
Flanagan's name is etched all over the Toros all-time records book. He is the all-time goals scored (38) leader and is tied for 2nd with 2003's CCAA Player of the Year Victor Guerrero in career points (89). Additionally, coach Flanagan holds the Toros' all-time record for most goals scored in a game with four against Metropolitan State (CO) on September 25, 1987.
Flanagan also has enjoyed an impressive professional career. He was named the Rookie of the Year in 1995 playing for the Los Angeles Salsa of the United States Independent Soccer League, and also played for the LA United (CISL) and the LA Heat (APSL) in the late 1980s.
An extremely popular youth teacher and coach in the South Bay, Flanagan holds several clinics in the off-season. Recently, he has been a part of the West Region ODP staff and a frequent speaker at the South Bay Athletic Club. A highly sought after clinician, Flanagan also serves as the Technical Director for Palos Verdes Soccer Club, running its youth academy (ages 5-12) while helping coach within the club of 26 teams.
Coach Flanagan is married to the former Julie Jamile, a past standout setter for the Santa Clara volleyball team. They reside in Palos Verdes with their 9-year old son Cade, 7-year old daughter Cas, 5-year old son Jack, and daughter, Lane, who was born on June 9, 2008.
