JOHN GOLDMAN

Steve Virgen

When John Goldman was hired at Orange Coast College as head coach of

the cross country program in 1996, he really did not know what to

expect. He was just eager to start and anxious to show the difference

he could make.

It sure did not take long for Goldman to show results. In 1997, he

guided the OCC women’s cross country team to a state title, which

began a run of three consecutive state championships. The Pirates

also won a state title in 2001. In 1999, both the men’s and women’s

teams won the state championship for the first time in school

history.

“When I got the job at OCC, it was thrilling and intimidating at

the same time,” said Goldman, who now coaches at Cerritos College. “I

was only 29 when I got the OCC head coaching job. “

Goldman was born and raised in Long Beach and graduated from

Millikan High, where he competed in cross country and track and

field. He earned a history degree at USC, then became a teacher.

In 1992, he was hired as cross country coach at El Dorado High,

where he also was an assistant with the track and field team. He took

on the same positions at OCC in 1996.

Goldman resigned from OCC in the spring of 2002, to spend more

time with wife, Susan, who gave birth to their son Seth, Nov. 5,

2001. He also assists in a racing business in Long Beach. But, soon,

he missed the pleasures of coaching and begins his first season with

the cross country teams at Cerritos College this fall.

“In community college, you find the purest form of recruiting,”

Goldman said. “You can’t offer scholarships. People are not joining

your program for financial aid. They are joining because of the

program. “

Goldman said there were several highlights he enjoyed while at

OCC, including, “the big one,” when the women’s cross country team

won the state championship in 1997, which was his first title.

“That one really sticks out in my mind,” he said. “The other

memorable year was in 1999, when the men and women won state titles.”

“There were a lot of good memories,” Goldman said. “I enjoyed

working with everyone there.”

Goldman, 36, the latest Daily Pilot Sports Hall of Fame honoree,

lives in Long Beach with his wife and children, Cole, Ty and Seth.