Gavilan Men’s Soccer Welcomes New Staff
As Gavilan athletics welcomes a new football coach and continues building momentum across programs, Men's Soccer is also growing its foundation. Head Coach Ivan Bastida begins year two with a reinforced coaching staff and a vision for consistency and progress. Coach Bastida is eager to strengthen and raise the program's competitive standard.
Bastida looks to bring stability and growth to a young roster that includes several players beginning their college careers before turning 18. Entering just the third year of Gavilan's soccer program — which has already seen two head coaches — Bastida is focused on stability, mindset, and long-term growth.
New Season, New Staff
Along with a new look on the field, Gavilan adds experience to its coaching staff.
● Luis Comesaña brings decades of leadership, having played at San José State, worked 28 years in the Santa Clara probation department, and coached 32 years at Homestead High School. 2025 begins his first season as head coach at Branham High School in San Jose.
● Manny Borrayo, a Bay Area native, holds an M.S. in Business Administration and applies it in his role as a Technology Infrastructure Supervisor. He also gives back by teaching a business course at Gavilan College. Since 2022, Borrayo has coached at Hollister High, helping the boys' soccer team capture the CCS Central Championship in 2023.
This year's squad includes many local players who have competed together before, bringing strong connections. Sophomores on the roster have set the standard, knowing the challenges of the Coast Conference.
Despite having only five sophomores last season, three moved on to play at the next level with athletic scholarships. Bastida hopes to continue that upward trend: preparing players to succeed academically and athletically, and ultimately transfer with scholarship opportunities.
For Bastida, success begins in the classroom. The program's top priority is maintaining a 3.5 team GPA, supported through Gavilan's RAAMP (Rams Academic Achievement Mentorship Program), and collaborations with the Math and English departments.
On the field, the Rams will continue to compete, improve, and pursue stronger results. "We're still a young program, but every season is a chance to set new standards," Bastida said. "The players know that consistency, discipline, and effort are what will define us."