Coaches

David Santesteban
Coach

David Santesteban (pronounced santa-stay-bawn) has built quite a resume in just two seasons as head coach at San Jacinto College South.

At the end of both seasons, Santesteban has led the Coyotes to the National Junior College Athletic Association national tournament. While the championship has proven to be elusive to this point, the coach is proud of his accomplishments.

“First and foremost we want to help develop fine student athletes who are going to come to San Jacinto College with the desire to use this as a stepping stone to a four-year degree,” he said. “To see young men come into the program, mature as young men and eventually get a degree is why we are coaches. That’s the true measure of success.”

Santesteban’s ideals are certainly working out well. In 2004, the Coyotes tied Tyler 0-0 in the head coach’s first-ever game. From there, the team reeled off 18 straight wins en route to the national tournament. There, the Coyotes missed out on a chance to play for the title after losing a game on an own goal but eventually finished third. The program was bestowed with the NJCAA Sportsmanship Award after the tournament.

In 2005, the Coyotes had a few more bumps in the road but still managed to earn a berth at nationals. There, the Coyotes wound up tied for fourth.

For his efforts, Santesteban has been named the Region 14 and Mid-South District Coach of the Year two years running. Perhaps the head coach has even more in store for 2006.

“I have really enjoyed my stay here to this point,” Santesteban said. “This is a great college with great support, and it’s a wonderful community to be a part of. On the field, we have access to some of the country’s finest players. It’s a lot of fun.”

Prior to coming to San Jacinto College South, Santesteban was head men’s soccer coach at Southwestern Oregon Community College (2000– 2003). In those three seasons, the team boasted an overall mark of 33-22-10. The team made two playoff appearances during that time.

As a player, Santesteban was a member of the nationally-ranked Fresno State Bulldogs (’89–’90). During his career, the team advanced to two Big West Championship titles and made two NCAA playoff appearances. He also played Junior College soccer for Fresno City College, where he was awarded all-conference 1st team honors two years in a row (’87–’88). His professional experiences include the San Francisco Bay Diablos and Santa Cruz Surf of the USISL. He also was a member of the semi-professional San Jose Oaks (National Open Cup Champion). He also trained with Club Atletico Osasuna of the Spanish 2nd Division in Pamplona, Spain. David trained the entire 2nd half of the ’96–’97 season and also worked in the front office under the director of the soccer school, Manolo Los Arcos Zaratiegui, in an effort to complete an advanced field study for his doctorate degree in sports administration. Santesteban has an MA and BA in Physical Education from Fresno State University. The coach recently celebrated his 14th wedding anniversary with his wife, Michelle. The couple have three daughters, Gabriela, Mikaela, and Eliana.

Emile Unverzagt
Assistant Coach

Emile Unverzagt, who played for the Coyotes during the 1994 and 1995 seasons, is on board as an assistant coach with the team. A graduate of Clear Creek High School, Unverzagt joined the San Jacinto College program and became on the top goalkeepers in progam history. He still holds school records for saves in a season (55), saves for a career (95) and career shutouts (5). After his time at San Jac, Emile went on to play keeper for West Texas A&M.

Shane Caron, C.A.T.
Athletic Trainer

Shane Caron is back for his sixth season as the team’s athletic trainer. He is employed by San Jacinto College through its affiliation with the Texas Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Houston. A 1996 graduate of the University of South Alabama, Caron also works with the San Jacinto College men’s basketball program at the Central campus.