James Garces

Prior to joining the Gonzaga Coaching staff, Garces was most recently the Head Coach of the RSL AZ MLS Next U16 Academy Coach in 2023. Prior to RSL AZ MLS Next Academy, he was the assistant coach at Grand Canyon University and Associate Head Coach at CSU Bakersfield.

"I am super excited to have James join our staff here at Gonzaga," McGaughey said. "James is a passionate coach who has had plenty of experience at the Division 1 and MLS Academy level. He is a coach I am familiar with and that I trust to keep the standards we have at Gonzaga. I am confident that the qualities he has as a coach will work well with our current staff moving forward."

"I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and get to work with this group of talented young men," Garces said.

Garces began his time at GCU in 2022, where he aided the team to a 7-8-3 record with a 2-0-1 showing against nationally ranked teams. The Lopes defeated #4 UCLA 3-2 on the road, the highest ranked victory in program history.

Garces coached four players who earned five WAC postseason awards in 2022, including WAC Offensive Player of the Year Shaun Joash. Along with Joash, who earned first team recognition, Jibril Rodet garnered second team while Erick Monge and Bright Nutornutsi received All-Freshman accolades. The Lopes finished the 2022 season third in the WAC in scoring offense, shot accuracy, total goals, and total points.

Prior to GCU, Garces spent eight seasons at his alma mater of CSU Bakersfield, one year as associate head coach (2021) and seven seasons at assistant coach (2015-21).

Garces graduated from CSUB with a bachelor's degree in communications with an emphasis in Public Relations in 2014 and a master's degree in public administration in 2016. Garces played all four years as a defender for the Roadrunners and was instrumental to the program's first ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2011.