On Monday, August 4, Jose Garcia stepped onto the Walla Walla University soccer field for the first time as the Wolves' men's soccer head coach.
"We are blessed to welcome back coach Jose Garcia. He is a legend in our community and in the region after winning multiple state championships with McLoughlin High School, as well as coaching the WWU men's soccer team years ago," said Nestor Osorio, director of athletics. “He will be an amazing addition to a talented team of coaches and assistant coaches for our Wolves athletics department ministry.”
Garcia joins WWU after a long, successful tenure at McLoughlin High School (Mac-Hi) in Milton-Freewater. In 30 years at Mac-Hi, Garcia led his team to an incredible 320-97-24 record. Mac-Hi won three consecutive state titles from 2005-07 and added a fourth in 2023.
Taking on this new role was a big transition for Garcia, but after speaking with Osorio and several others, he felt it was time to try something new. He said, “At first it was hard to leave. That was basically my baby, I created that program. So it wasn't easy, but in the end I had to do it. So I'm a little bit nervous and excited, and I guess that's normal.”
The soccer program at Mac-Hi was built from the ground up by Garcia who was an assistant for one season in 1992 before taking over the program a season later. During his first year at Mac-Hi, the team was co-ed because they didn’t have enough boys to compete. From there, he took the team to the impressive record they currently hold.
Now, Garcia joins a men's soccer program that is looking for success inside the Cascade Collegiate Conference. "I will work them hard, I know that for sure, and things are going to change," Garcia said. "That's the only way you're going to be successful.
Practice has already begun as Garcia works with the Wolves men’s soccer team to prepare for their first scrimmage of the season on August 22 at Walla Walla Community College.
To find upcoming games and keep up with Wolves men’s soccer throughout their season, visit uwolves.com.
Posted Aug. 21, 2025
