Clovis JC names ex-Fresno Pacific star Orlando Ramirez as soccer coach

Orlando Ramirez, after assisting with the Fresno Pacific men’s soccer team for the past eight seasons, finally has a college program of his own.

The former Sunbirds star has been named coach of the new women’s soccer program at Clovis Community College. The inaugural season begins Aug. 27 at Sierra, with the home debut Sept. 6 against Siskiyous.

Ramirez, after an All-America career at Fresno Pacific, was drafted in 2005 into Major League Soccer where he played one season for the San Jose Earthquakes.

“Clovis Community College is fortunate to have someone of Coach Ramirez’s caliber to lead the inaugural women’s soccer program,” athletic director Susan Yates was quoted in a news release.

With the offseason winding down, Ramirez will host a tryout camp from 4-6 p.m. Monday and Tuesday at the Clovis Community field.

Ramirez has already filled his coaching staff with local talent, hiring assistants Sue Negrete, a former Fresno State player and an assistant coach at Buchanan High and Fresno Pacific; Anisa Guajardo, a Buchanan and Pepperdine standout who played with the Mexican Women’s National Team; Edison Gonzalez, former Bullard High/Fresno Pacific/Fresno Fuego player and Sunbirds assistant coach; and Madera native Gilbert Vega, who was the goalkeeping coach at Fresno Pacific.

Ramirez’s hiring comes a little more than a year after he resigned as the girls coach at Buchanan. He led the Bears to four consecutive Central Section titles.

Ramirez left Buchanan because he also was assisting with the Fresno Pacific men’s team that is coached by his father, Jaime. Orlando Ramirez also wanted to spend more time with wife Casie and sons Jude and Owen. Even then he laid the groundwork for what was to come.

“It’s definitely a dream of mine some day to be a college head coach,” he told The Bee after his resignation at Buchanan.

The 2001 Roosevelt High graduate became an NAIA All-American in a four-year career at Fresno Pacific. He then starred for the Premier Development League’s Fresno Fuego, helping them to two national semifinals. After his one year with the Earthquakes, he returned to graduate from Fresno Pacific and earn his teaching credential.

As an assistant at Fresno Pacific, Ramirez helped the Sunbirds to three conference championships and five national tournament appearances. Ramirez also has nine years of experience teaching elementary and middle school in Clovis Unified.

This story was originally published August 5, 2016 at 3:13 PM with the headline "Clovis JC names ex-Fresno Pacific star Orlando Ramirez as soccer coach."