Francisco Lopez, Elite Programing Coach at L.A. Surf S.C. and Assistant Coach for Cathedral High School (Los Angeles, CA), has been coaching soccer for over 2 decades.  He holds USSF National “A” License, is currently a Scottish FA Candidate, Coerver Youth Diploma, and the NFHS Fundamentals of Coaching Certificate.  He also holds a degree in Computer Information Technology from Monrovia, CA, and utilizes his technology background to bring modern technology into coaching, creating new ways of learning the Principles of Soccer for a new generation of youth soccer players.

In addition to traditional coaching techniques, Francisco uses video tools that allow his players to replay their games on their iPads or mobile devices as well as to view his comments and get analysis of their game.  All this is part of Francisco’s ongoing goal of creating a better learning environment. 

At San Gabriel Mission High School, he lead the team to 3 Horizon League Championships in 2016, 2017, 2018, two CIF-SS Titles and 1 CIF-State Title.

With Soccer Life Academy, Francisco helps mold youth from the Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley areas into well-rounded student-athletes skilled in the game of soccer, starting as young as age 4 and up to age 19.

A former Marine, Francisco played on his high school soccer team at Cathedral High School (Los Angeles) from 1989 to 1992 and later at Glendale Community College from 1997 to 1998.  He began his coaching career working under Rudy Zeller, as camp coach at Go For Goal soccer camps in NorCal.  In 1997, Francisco was tasked to start the JV program at Cathedral High School, and as their Head Coach he brought the team to consecutive Santa Fe Championship victories in 2002 and 2003.

In 2004, Francisco became Varsity Head Coach at Cathedral, leading the team to the CIF Quarter Finals and Del Ray League Champions with an undefeated record and just 1 goal allowed the entire season.

As Cathedral’s Assistant Varsity Coach from 2005 to 2014, Francisco helped bring his teams to League Championships every year except 2009, CIF-SS Playoff Appearances every year, CIF-SS Division IV Quarterfinalist in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011, and CIF-SS Division IV Semi-Finalist 2007, 2012, and 2013, as well as CIF-SS State Regional Appearances in 2014 and CIF-SS Division IV Champions in 2014.

From 2007 to 2008, Francisco was Assistant Coach for the Los Angeles Futbol Club (La Canada, CA), after which he became Head Coach of the Santa Anita Soccer Club (Arcadia, CA).  From 2011 to 2014, Francisco was Head Coach of F.C. Golden State (Pasadena, CA).