Las Positas Soccer Coach Gladly Accepts Double Duty

New Las Positas College women’s soccer coach Andy Cumbo is no stranger to the Hawks program or the dual role he is embracing.

Cumbo, who has guided the college’s men’s soccer team for three successful seasons, was hired this week to also coach the women’s team.

Cumbo appears uniquely qualified to thrive in double duty.

“I have the skill set, experience, connections and the passion to serve the campus as both the men’s and women’s soccer coach,” Cumbo says. "Although challenging, my experience coaching both teams at Humboldt State was a positive one.”

Indeed, Cumbo coached the Division II Lumberjacks' men's and women's teams for four years during a 10-year run with the program (1999-2008).

Cumbo is replacing successful Hawks women's coach Paul Sapsford, who stepped down for family reasons after guiding the team to the CCCAA regional playoffs for the fourth straight season. Sapsford broke the news to his players Wednesday afternoon.

"I'd asked Dean (Amir) Law if I could step down and we were able to find a very good solution,” said Sapsford, who guided the team to a 13-4-3 record last season. “I’m sure coach Cumbo will be very successful. I wish him and the team the very best.”

Sapsford guided the women’s team to new heights and national rankings over the past five years. For his part, Cumbo appreciates all the support he has received from the college.

“I am excited for the challenge, I appreciate the opportunity that Dr. (Amir) Law and President (Roanna) Bennie are giving me,” Cumbo says.

Well-respected in soccer circles, Cumbo coached the Cal State East Bay men’s team for seven seasons before coming to Las Positas in 2016. He has led the Las Positas men’s team to three consecutive CCCAA regional playoff berths. The 2017 team finished the season ranked 17^th in the nation and the 2016 team was ranked as high as 15^th nationally.

At Humboldt State, Cumbo was head coach for eight years and was part of two conference championships and the CCAA playoffs in 2006. He was the HSU women’s coach for over 150 games and had a winning percentage over .500.

Cumbo has great passion for all aspects of soccer.

“The sport means so much to me, I love playing it and I love coaching it,” he says. “It’s given me so many opportunities personally and professionally, and it’s a privilege to now be a part of that process for the student-athletes on the women’s team. Coach Paul Sapsford has done an excellent job with the women’s program here, I am inheriting one the best women’s teams in the state.”

Sapsford will remain at Las Positas and continue teaching golf, sports psychology, sports management and health. When he first took over a struggling women’s program in 2014, the team barely had enough players to field a squad. Today Las Positas is a formidable force with 25 quality players each season.

The Hawks were ranked seventh in the nation early this season and in the top 20 last season.

“I believe the team will continue to grow, continue to prosper,” Sapsford says. “I’m excited for the team because they will continue to do well in the future.”