Johnson to lead both De Anza men's and women's soccer programs

CUPERTINO - De Anza College men's soccer head coach Rusty Johnson will also lead the women's soccer program, announced Ron Hannon, Director of Athletics & Student-Athlete Success.

Mark Landefeld, who served as interim women's head coach for the past two seasons, will continue his regular duties as part-time faculty member – and leading the four-time state champion badminton program.

"We are so grateful for Mark's dedication to step up and reestablish the women's soccer program after a short hiatus," Hannon said.

"Mark is the consummate professional and team player. He did not have to do it, but because of his desire to create opportunities for the student-athletes in our area, we have an opportunity to build on the work he created."

Under Landefeld's leadership, the De Anza women's soccer program produced four All-Coast Conference selections in Lana Hirata, Iris Li, Yael Gonen and Isabella Canepa. Li also serves as the student trustee for the Foothill-De Anza Community College District Board of Trustees.

Johnson is the second-winningest men's soccer coach in school history. During his tenure as coach, De Anza has advanced to the playoffs each season, claimed two Coast Conference championship titles, and elevated the program to Top-15 national rankings several times.

"I'm incredibly honored to step into this new role and lead both the men's and women's soccer programs," Johnson said.

"This school has been my home for 13 years, and I'm excited to build on the foundation of excellence that already exists within our teams. I deeply respect the tradition of excellence and upside potential of our women's program, and I look forward to working alongside these talented student-athletes and coaches."

A perennial power in the conference, Johnson regularly transfers quality soccer student-athletes to the four-year university level. 

"This is a unique situation, where we have a successful full-time head coach willing to help take a second program to another level," said Hannon, who attended soccer team meetings with coaches and student-athletes this week.

"This might be a little unorthodox, but we find ourselves in a very unique situation by having Rusty take over the head coaching duties of both programs at this time. Rusty gives us an opportunity to provide a very high level of soccer experience for our women's team that can mirror the success he's created in our men's program. With the support of our assistant coaches in both programs, we ​believe that Rusty can help return to a soccer culture and tradition that De Anza College has been known for in the past. We are excited about the potential and appreciate all of our soccer coaches for coming together to create this next chapter for Mountain Lions Soccer."

As Johnson will split head coaching duties, longtime assistant Roheet Sen will help lead the men's program as associate head coach and Isabel Sandez will continue to serve as the top assistant on the women's side.

Assistant coaches Brent Natwick and Kevin Watkins will remain on staff, as Johnson continues to add other qualified assistants.

Landefeld is currently preparing the badminton team for the 3C2A state championship match against Pasadena City College on Thursday evening.

"Transitions can be tough, but I think this one will definitely benefit the women's soccer program," Landefeld said.

"My responsibilities around the badminton program now exceed my ability to provide for women's soccer as well. Rusty is now a successful veteran coach, well-known at our college and our conference, and he will be able to marshal a different set of resources to enhance what we do with our women's student-athletes. He'll also bring a set of perspectives unique to both his Santa Clara University and elite youth training experiences. I was happy to restart a successful program that I was a part of 30 years ago and I'm also now very happy to pass the baton to the college's fourth head coach of women's soccer."

Landefeld and Johnson, both former DA assistant coaches under 3C2A Hall of Fame head coach Kulwant Singh, collaborate on various projects – including serving as current Academic Senate representatives for the Physical Education & Athletics Division.

"Working with both programs is a new opportunity I don't take lightly," Johnson added. 

"I would be remiss to not express my gratitude to Mark for doing the heavy lift in bringing the program back after a season away. I feel like we have many talented coaches ready to create an environment that is second to none, rebuilding what was once a very strong program. I feel that Roheet is ready to lead his own program, and I am looking forward to building a program with Izzy much like I did with Roheet when I first came to campus 13 years ago. I'm here to listen, lead, and help every player and coach in our programs."

JOHNSON'S PREVIOUS COACHING EXPERIENCE

Prior to joining De Anza, Johnson spent 10 years as an assistant coach for his alma mater, Santa Clara University, where he primarily worked with the goalkeepers.

Coaching the men's side, he was involved in helping the Broncos to a College Cup in 2003, and four West Coast Conference titles. During this time, Santa Clara advanced to the semi-finals (2003), the quarter-finals (2006) – and over the course of his career, coached in 14 NCAA Division-1 playoff games. 

While serving as the goalkeeper coach at Santa Clara, he helped several goalkeepers that went on to play professionally – including Steve Cronin (SJ Earthquakes, LA Galaxy, Portland Timbers, DC United), Kevin Klasila (Charleston Battery), Larry Jackson (Oakland Roots), and Kendall McIntosh (Portland Timbers).

During this time, the program similarly elevated several field players, including Dylan Autran (FC Martigues), Mehdi Ballouchy (Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids, NY Red Bull, Vancouver Whitecaps, SJ Earthquakes, New York FC), Mykell Bates (Toronto FC), Ryan Cochrane (SJ Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, NE Revolution), Hector Guzman (Houston Dynamo), Matt Hatzke (SJ Earthquakes), Erik Hurtado (Vancouver Whitecaps, KC Wizards), Amaechi Igwe (NE Revolution, FC Ingolstadt), Peter Lowry (Chicago Fire, Portland Timbers), Matt Marquess (KC Wizards), Carlos Montes (Mosta FC, Gzira United), Jide Ogunbiyi (NY Red Bull, Viborg FF), Max Ornstil (Portland Timbers), Jamil Roberts (SJ Earthquakes), Erik Ustruck (Houston Dynamo), and Brandon Zimmerman (Philadelphia Union).

As an athlete at Santa Clara University, Johnson is listed in the record books for both the university, as well as the West Coast Conference. He is listed in the WCC record books twice for having the best goals against average (1999, 2001) and the most shutouts (1999, 2000) in the conference. In the SCU record books, Johnson holds the all-time record for most saves during the playoffs (19) and most saves in a playoff game (1999 vs. Stanford, 9 saves). 

Johnson's career totals place him second all time for career shutouts (23.5), fifth all-time for goals against average (.79), fifth all-time for career saves (164), and fourth in shutouts in a single season (10.5). He was an all-WCC selection three times, and a pre-season All-American in 2000. 

He was instrumental in helping to make two back-to-back College Cup appearances in 1998 and 1999, playing in a national championship game on December 12, 1999. The Broncos fell to the Hoosiers 1-0 in that game, but this would solidify his selection as an assistant coach upon graduation.

Johnson earned a master's degree in Physical Education from Fresno Pacific University and a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Santa Clara University. 

In addition to teaching full-time at De Anza in the Physical Education & Athletics Division, he currently holds a USSF "B" license and has helped with the De Anza Force Club in Cupertino.

Student-athletes interested in joining De Anza College women's soccer team can complete the prospective questionnaire at https://deanzasports.com/sports/recruiting_form_wsoccer

(De Anza College Athletics)