DeSouza named boys tennis coach

Andy DeSouza was named as the new Fallbrook High School boys tennis coach September 8, the day he was also officially named as the school’s boys soccer coach.

DeSouza will succeed Dennis Houlihan as the tennis coach. Previous boys soccer coach John Hayek, who remains as the school’s athletic director, had made arrangements for DeSouza to succeed him in the soccer position after Hayek announced last spring that he was stepping down from his school coaching role.

“I never thought I’d have a varsity job this soon out of college,” said DeSouza, who attended Nazareth College in Rochester, New York, and graduated with a Master’s degree in education in 2003 after obtaining his undergraduate degree in 2002.

DeSouza played both soccer and tennis for Nazareth College, which is an NCAA Division III school. As a senior he hurt his shoulder. “I haven’t played tennis for a few years,” he said. “I’m definitely trying to get back into tennis as a player.”

During summers between academic years DeSouza had taught lessons at a tennis club. “I think it will be a program that he can come in and really continue the success,” Hayek said of DeSouza taking over the Warrior tennis team.

DeSouza moved from New York to California looking for opportunities to teach on the West Coast. He applied to several school districts, and the Fallbrook Union High School District gave him his first job offer. DeSouza has taught math at Fallbrook High School since being hired.

Hayek was in his second year as the boys varsity head coach when DeSouza joined the Fallbrook High School faculty. DeSouza became an assistant coach for Hayek. Hayek is also the director of coaching for the Fallbrook Youth Soccer League, and DeSouza also joined FYSL as a coach.

“I know Andy very well,” Hayek said. “He’s very committed.”

The Fallbrook Youth Soccer League includes the competitive Fallbrook Fury as well as recreational youth leagues. DeSouza currently coaches the Fury’s under-17 boys team. “He’s got great ties to the soccer community already,” Hayek said.

After four years as the head soccer coach, Hayek stepped down due to other commitments including family, his athletic director duties, and his Fury position. “I’m real excited about having some renewed enthusiasm in the program there,” Hayek said.

Hayek explained that he is still enthusiastic about the soccer team but that his enthusiasm has been spread by his various commitments.

“Being involved with the program, I saw what kind of a high-quality program it is,” DeSouza said.

The Warriors won Avocado League championships in each of Hayek’s first three seasons as head coach and reached the CIF finals in 2006. Although the 2006 season ended Fallbrook’s string of four league championships, the Warriors had reached the 2001 CIF finals in the previous season in which they had not won the Avocado League.

“I know we have a lot of expectations,” DeSouza said. “I feel the pressure a little bit to follow John’s footsteps.”

DeSouza holds a United States Soccer Federation “D” coaching license and also holds an Advanced National Diploma from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, which the USSF considers sufficient to waive the “C” license requirement to seek a “B” license.

DeSouza notes that coaching the Fury under-17 team will likely create better success with the school program. “It’s just a chance for me to develop the younger guys, the guys who are trying to make the transition from JV to varsity,” he said.

One difference between Hayek and DeSouza is the formation used on the field. Hayek experimented with different formations while DeSouza has been using a 4-5-1 formation (four defenders, five midfielders, and one forward) on the Fury. DeSouza may implement the 4-5-1 for the high school team. “When I pick the team I’ve got to look at my players,” he said.

“I like to control the midfield,” DeSouza said. “I prefer the small, simple passes.”

In addition to coaching the Fury, DeSouza also coaches the boys under-12 team for the San Diego Pegasus which is based in Rancho Bernardo. “I’m trying to get myself ready to make sure I can do the best job I possibly can,” DeSouza said.

DeSouza, who went into teaching so that he could have an opportunity to coach, moved from Pacific Beach to Fallbrook during Labor Day Weekend. Just prior to the beginning of the school year the school district learned that Dennis Houlihan, who had coached boys tennis for the previous seven seasons, would not be returning to campus as a teacher or tennis coach. “John offered me an interview. He knew I’d be interested,” DeSouza said. “He knew I was a big tennis guy.”

That position also gives DeSouza incentive to work on his 2002 shoulder injury. “It seems like it’s been too much time, so I’m excited to get back into tennis, too,” he said.

“I’m already starting to rehab my shoulder,” DeSouza said. “I definitely need to get out there on the court and just hit.”

Serving as head coach for two different varsity sports is a tough task, although Houlihan was both the tennis and football head coach for five years. Since DeSouza is not married, he believes he can handle both roles. “I’m basically dedicating myself to those teams and I really wanted to be a varsity coach,” he said.

Since the Warriors are constant participants in the soccer playoffs, there is a chance that the soccer season will overlap the start of the boys tennis season. “I’m sure I can work it out,” DeSouza said.

Soccer tryouts begin November 11 and will also be held November 13-15. “I’m prepared. I’m ready to take on two varsity sports,” DeSouza said.

DeSouza noted that the move to Fallbrook eliminates two hours of daily commuting. “To me I’ve got a lot of time now,” he said.