With Jim Millinder leaving Southern California to take the head coaching job for the University of San Francisco women’s team, the club has been searching for someone who can continue to build the current strong set of girls teams while broadening the program.
In Dan Tobias, the club has hired a leader with extensive experience at the highest levels of girls soccer. Dan is a two time Pac-10 Women’s coach of the year (at two different schools) and former Soccer America National Coach of the Year. He turned around programs at Arizona and Washington State; has been a U-17 women’s national team assistant; was head coach for Region IV U-19 and U-16 ODP teams, and has extensive other ODP experience. He played at D-1 Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Technical Director Todd Saldaña commented that "South Bay Force’s commitment to top level coaching continues. We pride ourselves on utilizing the coaching knowledge that is born and bred here in the South Bay, and Dan Tobias is a great example." Dan shares our staff’s deep love and commitment to the sport and player development -- as well as a high level of South Bay pride (he grew up in Hermosa and graduated from Mira Costa).
Dan’s predecessor, Jim Millinder, says that "I don’t know anyone in Southern California at the girls club level with the amount of experience Dan Tobias has."
The club is extremely excited to have Dan on board. As Director of Coaching / Girls, Tobias’s duties will include "coaching the coaches," reinforcing the club wide curriculum, encouraging teamwork among the staff, recruiting teams and players, and a slew of other tasks.
Former Director of Coaching / Girls Jim Millinder will assist Dan with the transition. Todd Saldaña said "Jim’s passion for the game, experience both as a player and a coach and his local ties to our community were huge assets to our club and will be missed," but that Dan is "someone that has had an equal amount of women’s and girls soccer coaching success and experience."
Tobias will also assume head coach duties for Jim Millinder’s GU-15 and GU-17 teams.
Press Release
