Scroll down the Coaches Roster on the Davis Legacy website and longtime followers of the club are likely to see some familiar faces dotting the page.
Easily recognizable for the older generations could be original club greats like Jorge Lama or Joel Rodriguez, while younger supporters might pick out Sidra Bugsch or Gaby Herrera, stars of some of Legacy’s all-time best girls teams.
Overall, of the 43 competitive coaches currently employed by Davis, 11 once played for the program, one that prides itself on its family-friendly and tight-knit environment. That percentage comes out to more than 25–just over one-fourth of Legacy coaches returned to give back to the club that helped develop them into who they are today.
In addition to the four aforementioned coaches, Elijah Alba, Janae Gonzalez, Ken Hashimoto, Julian Limon-Espinosa, Jesus Mata, Evan Ream, and Jose Villa all once suited up for Davis. Furthermore, recreational coach Cecilia Michao also used to wear Legacy’s red, white, and black.
Talk to any of these coaches, and it immediately becomes apparent why they’ve returned.
“Wearing the Legacy crest means something to me because I could travel anywhere in the country and someone would say, ‘I recognize that logo, you guys do it right there,’” said 2007 and 2008 Girls ECNL coach Janae Gonzalez. “This could be interpreted in so many positive ways but it definitely makes me feel proud and thankful to wear the crest.”
Back in her youth career, Gonzalez only guest played for Legacy under club co-founder Ashley Yudin, but the small amount of time she spent with Davis clearly made an impression. So when it came time to start her time on the sidelines, there was only one choice in her mind despite living in Folsom.
“I knew I wanted to coach, and from all the clubs I played at, Legacy has the unique community and family environment that I knew I wanted to be in as a coach,” she said. “My biggest mentor, coach Ash, also told me to come back.”
That family environment was mentioned often by Legacy alums as one of the catalysts that brought them back.
“More than anything, it’s about the family that you’re going to gain when you get involved,” said Cecilia Michao, who played for Davis for five years. “It’s definitely a blessing to be able to come back and help other kids grow and find their passion in soccer because that’s going to help later in life. I know it will because Legacy helped me be the best version of myself.”
Added 2010 Girls ECNL coach Joel Rodriguez, who played two years and is now in his ninth season coaching for the club: “I’ve been fortunate to have played and coached, and I now have a child who will graduate from the program. Our family has met some of the most amazing people here. It’s more than just a game at Legacy; it is a community that invests in the children and takes a holistic approach to its players.
“It’s more than just a game here, it’s about the person.”
For some, using the word “family” might not be a strong enough indicator about their feelings for Davis Legacy. Instead, they call the club their home.
“The club has really felt like home,” said 2015 Boys Black coach Jose Villa, who is in his first season coaching after suiting up for Legacy for four years. “The support I’ve received from the coaching staff around me has been amazing.”
Also in her first full season coaching for Davis is 2014 Girls White coach Sidra Bugsch, who played for the club for a full decade before embarking on a successful collegiate career at Cal Poly.
“I wanted to give back to the others in the club in the same way it gave to me–this club has always been my home and the impact that it has had on my life is immeasurable,” she said. “Every coach and teammate that I have shared my Davis Legacy experience with helped shape me into the person that I am today. The club does a remarkable job at creating a family-like environment. They welcomed me back into the club with open arms, and it felt like I never left.”
Bugsch is unique in that, like 2012 Boys Black coach Elijah Alba, she’s a second generation Legacy professional. While Alba’s father, Ricky leads the club’s Skills and 2007 Boys Black programs, Bugsch’s dad, Brian coaches the 2010 Girls White side.
The Alba boys are often seen together during those weekly skill sessions, while one can find both Bugschs sporting smiles on their faces while they lead some of Legacy’s younger players.
“More than anything, I love to coach alongside my dad,” Bugsch said. “He is the one that brought me to the club in the first place, and the fact that I get to call him a colleague now is wild, it makes me so happy.
“It brings me joy to see all the growth that the club has accomplished over the years.”