JJ Santa Cruz named Athletic Director and Head Men's Basketball Coach

The Copper Mountain College Athletic Department would like to welcome JJ Santa Cruz to the Fighting Cacti Family.  JJ assumed the role of Athletic Director and Head Men’s Basketball Coach on April 17, 2023
 
JJ come to CMC after having served at Sonoma State University for the past five seasons beginning in 2018, helping guide the Seawolves to the CCAA tournament conference this past season.  In his five seasons at Sonoma State, JJ handled all aspects of the program including being interim head coach for the 2019-20 season and helping guide the athletes through the 2020-21 season that was cancelled due to covid.
 
From 2005-2017, JJ was a successful high school coach, having captured numerous league titles during his tenures at Cornerstone Christian School in Wildomar, Ca and Temecula Preparatory School in Winchester, CA.  At each of these stops JJ’s programs captured each schools first league titles as well as coaching a number of undefeated league seasons. 

While at Temecula Preparatory School, JJ also assumed the role of Athletic Director for TPS.  During his time at TPS, he was able to increase the number of sports offered at the school.  The department developed, boys and girls cross-country, boys and girls track, boys volleyball, swimming, and football. 
 
JJ does come to CMC with a number of years of California community college having been a member of the Palomar College coaching staff from 2000-2005.  In that time there, JJ was the recruiting coordinator over the Riverside County area as well as North San Diego County. 
 

Personal
JJ is married to his wife Cheryl and has a son Antonio and his wife Destinee, and first grandchild, Roman; a son Jordan, and a daughter Faith and her husband Lucas

“I am very excited to be a part of the Copper Mountain College family.  My father was a member of the Marine Corps and my “first” duty station as his son was here at 29 palms so I feel as though I have come full circle.  The opportunities here at CMC are incredible. I am looking forward to growing the CMC athletic department by adding a few sports in the upcoming years as well as leading our current teams to new heights both on the courts and in the classroom”