LSU’s Ponce de Leon to lead De Anza College Track & Field and Cross Country
CUPERTINO - De Anza College is pleased to announce the hiring of Andy Ponce de Leon as its new full-time head coach for the Mountain Lions' track & field and cross country programs. He will also serve as a faculty member in the Physical Education & Athletics Division.
Most recently, Ponce de Leon spent the past five years as Director of Operations for Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor Track & Field at Louisiana State University – working alongside USTFCCCA Hall of Fame coach Dennis Shaver.
"Over the past 20 years I've had the privilege of working with some of the best programs across the country – but De Anza College is the kind of place you leave LSU for," Ponce de Leon said. "I have always admired its proud legacy of academic excellence and athletic success but what excites me most is the abundance of talent right here in the Bay Area. This region is full of passionate high school coaches with driven student-athletes.
"We can make De Anza the destination where that potential is realized – a place where student-athletes thrive, and where coaches know their athletes will be challenged, supported and developed to their highest level."
Originally from Long Beach, Calif., Ponce de Leon returns to the California community college system with nearly two decades of experience in coaching, recruitment and athletic operations from the Pac-12 to the SEC.
His previous stops include California Baptist University, Butler University, Arizona State University, Mt. San Antonio College, and Long Beach State.
"We are excited to welcome Andy to De Anza College, where he can lead our student-athletes and programs through the ever-changing landscape of higher education and competitive athletics," said Dr. Eric Mendoza, Dean of Physical Education & Athletics.
"Our search committee members and senior administrators were able to learn about Andy's successful journey and his ability to develop students and programs of all levels. It was also evident that Andy has a passion for student success. We believe our student-athletes will prosper from his championship-level experience and positive energy."
At LSU, Ponce de Leon oversaw all administrative and logistical procedures for six teams –including compliance, budget management, team travel, recruiting coordination, home meet management, alumni engagement and liaising with a multitude of departments on and off campus in order to ensure seamless day-to-day operations.
LSU is recognized worldwide for its dominance at the collegiate level – racking up a total of 32 NCAA team championships in its history, including the 2021 men's track & field outdoor title.
"This is a great opportunity for Andy and I know he is ready for this new role," Shaver said.
"He operates a well-oiled machine and he will be missed at LSU."
Prior to LSU, Ponce de Leon spent three years as an assistant coach at California Baptist University (2015-18) and led recruitment initiatives that spanned all over the world.
In 2017, he coached the women's distance runners that broke every school record from the 800m-10k and was the only team to qualify an athlete in every distance event to the outdoor national championships.
Later that year the women's country team achieved their first No. 1 ranking and would go on to podium at the national championships for the first time in school history.
Before joining CBU, he spent nearly three years at Butler University (2012-15) working under director of cross country and track & field Matt Roe, in a similar role, where he was also elected as the Big East Conference representative, collaborating with national organizations on legislative policy changes.
Earlier this year, the 2013 Butler Women's Cross Country team – which earned a historic podium finish at the NCAA Championships – was inducted into the Butler Athletics Hall of Fame. That performance remains the highest team finish by any women's program in school athletics history.
"Andy cares about student growth and development," Roe said.
"He has the ability to connect with students on a personal level in a manner that is caring and thoughtful, especially those that need help the most."
Prior to his time at Butler, Ponce de Leon served as a graduate assistant under Louie Quintana at Arizona State University (2010-12), while earning his first master's degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education.
At ASU, he expanded into operational leadership – directing large-scale home meets such as the Sun Angel Track Classic, which featured athletes from over 30 colleges and 50 high schools, and managing a staff of more than 100 meet workers. He also played a key role in sustaining fundraising efforts by engaging with alumni and supporter networks.
"Andy will be phenomenal at De Anza," said Quintana, who has served as women's track & field and cross country head coach at Oregon State University since 2017.
"He will elevate the level of competition there. He has the innate ability to connect with students from all backgrounds and levels. Andy inspires athletes and finds ways for them to perform and excel."
Ponce de Leon served for two years as an assistant distance coach and adjunct faculty member at Mt. SAC (2008-10).
Under 3C2A Hall of Fame head coach Doug Todd, he also served as the Mounties' recruiting and transfer coordinator, quickly earning a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the state. In his first year, he quadrupled the Mounties roster – securing one of the deepest recruiting classes in school history.
During his time at Mt. SAC, he also began building the foundation for one of the top meet management resumes in the country. He played an integral role in hosting the largest high school cross country meet in the United States – the Mt. SAC Cross Country Invitational – as well as one of the nation's premier track meets – the world famous Mt. SAC Relays.
In addition to his meet management experience, he contributed in various capacities at the Footlocker Cross Country Championships, CIF Championships, and for the LA84 Foundation.
While at Long Beach State (2005-08), Ponce de Leon served as a volunteer assistant, coaching the distance runners while also playing an integral role in recruiting efforts. In 2006, he helped Long Beach State to its first Big West Conference outdoor championship in 30 years.
Ponce de Leon was a student-athlete at both Mt. SAC and Long Beach State. While at Long Beach State, he competed in the steeplechase and was the Cal-Nevada state champion – improving his time by more than a minute, down to 9:23 in 2005.
Ponce de Leon and his wife, Monica, along with their two children, look forward to moving to the Bay Area this summer.
"Andy brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from working at some of the best cross-country and track and field programs in the nation," said Ron Hannon, De Anza College Director of Athletics & Student-Athlete Success.
"He will have an immediate impact on our current student-athletes, as well as those that will come through our De Anza College doors for years."
"It might be easy to get caught up in the big names and historic programs. However, throughout the process, it was clear that Andy's depth and breadth of experience stood out. Andy will be a major resource for not just track & field or cross-country student-athletes, but more importantly, for all of our students at De Anza College."
Ponce de Leon will join De Anza College on July 7 to instruct the off-season class.
Interested student-athletes can email Hannon at hannonron@fhda.edu
Collegiate Track & Field and Cross Country Experience
Louisiana State University, Director of Operations (2020-25)
California Baptist University, Assistant Coach (2015-18)
Butler University, Assistant Coach (2012-15)
Arizona State University, Graduate Assistant (2010-12)
Mt. San Antonio College, Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (2008-10)
Long Beach State University, Volunteer Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator (2005-08)
NCAA Podium Finishes
• 2023 NCAA D1 National 4th Place – LSU Men's Outdoor Track & Field
• 2022 NCAA D1 National 4th Place – LSU Women's Outdoor Track & Field
• 2021 NCAA D1 National Champions –LSU Men's Outdoor Track & Field
• 2021 NCAA D1 National Runner-Up – LSU Men's Indoor Track & Field
• 2021 NCAA D1 National 3rd Place – LSU Women's Indoor Track & Field
• 2017 NCAA D2 National 3rd Place – CBU Women's Cross Country
• 2013 NCAA D1 National 3rd Place – Butler Women's Cross Country
• 2012 NCAA D1 National 4th Place – ASU Men's Indoor Track & Field
Education
MBA – Business Administration – University of the West of England, Bristol
M.Ed. – Higher & Postsecondary Education – Arizona State University, Tempe
SSTC – Physical Education Credential – California State University, Long Beach
B.A. – Kinesiology: Pedagogy – California State University, Long Beach
A.A. – Liberal Studies – Mt. San Antonio College
CERT. – Middle Distances Advanced Endorsement 510 – USTFCCCA
CERT. – Level II: Endurance Training – USATF
CERT. – Sprints, Jumps, Throws Specializations. Outperform
CERT. – Online Learning Design for Educators – Macquarie University, Coursera
CERT. – Regulatory Compliance – University of Pennsylvania Law, Coursera
(De Anza College Athletics)