Stephen Hoffman

Ventura College Women's Soccer Coach

Born: June 14, 1956 in Southport, England

Coach Steve Hoffman was hired in May of 1996 to start the Ventura College Women’s Intercollegiate Soccer Program. As the only coach to lead the Pirates in their 20-year history, Hoffman has coached the VC to 15 Western State Conference Championships. The team earned 11 consecutive titles from 1996-2006 and also won the crown in 2008, and three consecutive years from 2010-2012. Coach Hoffman has directed the Pirates to a WSC record of 216-21-17 and his overall coaching record is an incredible 326-85-42. VC has qualified for the post-season 19 times in the past 20 years under Hoffman.

In 2009 Coach Hoffman lead the Pirates to their first ever CCCAA final four appearance. His teams have also appeared in the CCCAA Elight Eight five times in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2010 and 2012. Hoffman has been voted the Western State Conference Coach of the Year six times by the conference coaches in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2008 and 2010.

In 2009 the Pirates were ranked as high as third in the NSCAA National coaches association poll breaking the top five for the first time ever. VC finished the 2009 season by holding on to a top ten spot by being ranked No. 7 in final NSCAA-Adidas National coaches poll, the highest the final ranking in program history.

The California Youth Soccer Association – South honored Hoffman when they named him Cal South Coach of the Year in 1999. In 2000, the honor’s kept coming when the National Soccer Coaches Association also named Steve West Region Coach of the Year and he was a finalist for the National Coach of the Year award. Coach Steve Hoffman is one of the most respected coaches not just in California but the country.

Under Coach Hoffman’s leadership a number of Individual players have received recognition. 13 players have received NSCAA All-American honors (Joy Barry, 1997; Chrissie Sanford, 1998; Sarah Costello, 2000; Brittney MacDonald, 2002; Currie Doleman-Hunt, 2003; Allie Avina, 2005; Sienna Kluck-Escoto, 2006; Jaz Strozier, 2009; Monique Orocio, 2010; Megan Erskine, 2011; Daisy Cardona, 2011 and 2012; and Guadelupe Magana, 2013). In addition to becoming the program’s first two-time All-American in 2012, Cardona was named the NSCAA Community College Division III National Player of the Year. Sophia Chandler was named an NSCAA Academic All-American in 2014.

Uner Coach Hoffman, VC has had nine Western State Conference Most Valuable Player Awards (Barry in 1996, 1997; Sanford, 1998; Costello,1999; McDonald, 2002; Doleman-Hunt, 2003; Srozier, 2008; Orocio, 2010, and Cardona in 2012). Coach Hoffman has placed 98 players on the All-Western State Conference first team and 28 players on the All-WSC second team.

The Pirate program has been recognized by the VC athletic staff with the selection of eight players as the Ventura College Female Athlete of the Year (Barry, 1998; Almaraz, 1999; Costello, 2001; Avina, 2005; Kluck-Escoto, 2007; Orocio, 2011; Cardona, 2013; and Delanie Gavid, 2015). In 1998 Melissa Thaxton became the first women’s soccer player to be selected as the Ventura College Academic Athlete of the year, while in 2000 Marisa Pittman followed in the Thaxton’s footsteps. Alicia Coenen, 2002, Taylor Steele, 2011, and Sofia Chandler, 2015, have also earned the honor.

Prior to coming to Ventura College, Hoffman was the Assistant Women’s Soccer Coach at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks from 1991 to 1995.

In addition to his coaching duties at VC, Hoffman is the Director of Coaching Education and Player Development for the California Youth Soccer Association-South where he runs the Cal South Olympic Development Program. He also works with US Soccer Women’s National team program and was a staff coach for the United States Youth Soccer Association where he coaches at the Region IV Olympic Development program each summer (selecting the next group of players trying out for the United States National teams).

Coach Hoffman is responsible for the 135,000 youth players and the 30,000 coaches that are members of Cal South. Coach Hoffman currently possesses a United States Soccer Federation ‘A’ license and a United States Soccer Federation National Youth Coaching License and is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and United States Soccer Federation Coaches Association of America.

Hoffman was born in Southport, England, where he completed his schooling and played soccer at youth, amateur and semi-professional levels. In 1983, he moved to California from Southport with his wife Kathy, and his three children, Melanie, Joey and Jaimie. Steve and his family settled in Ventura and have been here for over 30 years. All of Steve’s children attended Buena High school in Ventura and they have all attended Ventura College at one time. Steve and Kathy are blessed with four grandchildren Nicholas (22), Sarah (18), Jessica (12) and Alyssa (6) who love watching and playing soccer!

Coaching Statistics and Achievements

Has led the Ventura College women’s soccer team to the regional playoffs 26 times in the last 27 years.
Made the Elite 8 in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2009, 2010 and 2012
Western State Conference Champions ’96, ’97, ’98, ’99, ’00, ’01, ’02, ’03, ’04, ’05, ’06, ’08, ’10, ’11, ’12, ’16, 21.
Ventura County College Team of the Year Award (Local News Media) 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008
California Community College Athletic Association Scholar Team Award 1997, 1999, 2001
Cuesta Cup Champions 1997
Cuesta Cup Finalists 1996

Overall record 413-136-70. WSC record 263-40-27.