Bio

Member of the Athletic Department Executive Leadership Team and Leadership Council 

In 2015 Brandon Gonzalez became the Founding Director of Athletics & Student Life at Pacifica Christian High School-Orange County. In nine short years, Brandon has created a program that balances participation, competitive and non-competitive success, individual player development, and an overall positive experience. During the 2023-2024 school year, Pacifica Christian had 81% of the student body participated in at least one sport; 63% participated in two sports, and 38% participated in three sports, the highest dual and triple sport athlete percentages to date. The department fielded 19 Varsity Programs and 28 teams while also creating a school culture that celebrates the hard work, success, and benefits of high school athletics and what it brings to a school community and the life of a student-athlete. Brandon has built an Athletic Department from a simple idea in 2014 to a thriving, competitive, well-rounded athletic department that has seen over 60 postseason appearances, 11 CIF-Southern Section Finals, 11 State Tournament appearances, and one CIF State Final appearance in 7 years of Varsity Level competition. Pacifica Christian has produced over 100 All-League Winners, 25 1st-Team All CIF Winners, 40 2nd-Team All CIF winners, and one John Wooden Award Winner.  The athletic department also boasted an overall unweighted GPA of 3.67 after the 2023-2024 school year. 

Under Brandon's leadership, Pacifica Christian has secured long-term partnerships with Orange Coast Community College, Vanguard University, Newport Beach Golf Course, the City of Newport Beach, Fitness on Fire, the City of Huntington Beach, and many others to help facilitate and sustain the needs of the growing Pacifica Christian Athletic Department. Brandon has also negotiated and secured long-term sponsorships with Nike, BSN, TVX Sports, and Hudl to help continue to outfit and market the Pacifica Christian Athletic Department. Lastly, Brandon oversaw the development, planning, and execution of the Triton Event Center remodel, which included a new shot clock system, score table, scoreboards, wall pads, updated team areas, state-of-the-art team rooms, Athletic Training Room, and a brand new gym floor as well as the development of the new Triton Lab coming soon. 

In 2019 Brandon was honored with the Coach & Athletic Director Magazine 2019 Sports 40 Under 40 Award. The Sports 40 Under 40 Award is an industry-wide honor that annually recognizes 40 emerging Sports Leaders under the age of 40, men and women, who are demonstrating involvement, innovation, and commitment. These 40 young professionals represent the best in the sports industry from across the country. With over 900 applicants, Brandon was the only winner of this award from the State of California. The Sports 40 Under 40 Class of 2019 was honored at the 2019 National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Convention and is recognized in the July/August 2019 issue of Coach & Athletic Director.

In 2020, Brandon was asked to sit on the Board of the National High School Athletic Coaches Association. The NHSACA is dedicated to serving High School Coaches and Athletic Directors throughout the United States through education, recognition, and support. The goal is to promote high school athletics and provide professional services to its member coaches while providing opportunities for all high school coaches. The NHSACA provides resources to promote professional growth and attitude of teamwork, sportsmanship, and healthy lifestyles for Athletes, Coaches, and Athletic Directors.

Brandon came to Pacifica Christian from The Bear Creek School. A Classical Christian Academy and a Nationally recognized Blue Ribbon school in the Pacific Northwest. While at The Bear Creek School, Brandon was their Associate Athletic Director and Director of Girl's Soccer. He oversaw 23 high school sports programs and 14 middle school sports programs. He also oversaw the Girl's Soccer Programs' individual growth and development from elementary school to high school. While at Bear Creek, he helped the athletic department win 16 League Championships, 10 District Championships, 19 State Appearances, and 5 State Championships. Brandon also served as the head coach for Bear Creek’s Girl's Varsity Soccer Program, which appeared in 3 straight State Finals from 2011-2013, winning back-to-back State Championships in 2011 & 2012.

Brandon was born and raised in Southern California. He attended Biola University on a soccer scholarship, receiving his B.A. in Sociology and a Minor in Biblical and Theological Studies. He then attended graduate school at Concordia University in Irvine, where he received his M.A. in Coaching and Athletic Administration. He also received his CAA from the University of Maine. As a 4-year collegiate soccer player, Brandon earned the MVP award twice and was named 1st-team All-Conference in back-to-back seasons, as well as All-American Honorable Mention. In his professional career, Brandon played six seasons in the United Soccer League–five for the Southern California Seahorses and one for the North Sound Seawolves.

Brandon and his wife, Kelsea, live in Fountain Valley with their two daughters Bella and Liv, son Charlie, and a dog (Boxer), named Nigel. Brandon loves getting up bright and early every weekend morning to watch the English Premier League, in particular, supporting his favorite team, Newcastle United. 

ABOUT BRANDON:

What is your favorite sports team? 

Newcastle United FC 

What is your favorite music genre, artist, or song?

Medal and Rock

What is your favorite breakfast food/meal?

Steak and Egg breakfast burrito

You travel to anywhere in the world, cost does not matter, where are you going? 

Greenland, because I have never been there

If you could play any sport besides your own, what would it be and why?

Cricket, it is the most relaxing yet intense sport.