Victor Santa Cruz joined Towson football in 2026, rejoining Pete Shinnick's staff after working together at Azusa Pacfiic. Santa Cruz serves as the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach.
Santa Cruz comes to Towson after several years as a head coach, leading Azusa Pacific from 2006-19 and JSerra Catholic High School from 2023-25.
His stint at Azusa Pacific began in 2001 under Shinnick as the offensive coordinator, moving to defensive coordinator from 2004-05. After Shinnick left for UNC Pembroke, Santa Cruz was elevated to head coach, leading the Cougars to 84 victories, four Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles and five playoff appearances, including the NAIA Quarterfinal round in 2011, finishing No. 5 in the nation. Azusa Pacific moved into NCAA DII in 2012, where Santa Cruz led the team to playoff appearances in 2016 and 2018. He helped coach Terrell Watson and Matt Orzech, each of whom played in the NFL.
Before JSerra Catholic, he spent two seasons at his alma mater of the University of Hawai'i, serving as an associate head coach and defensive coordinator. Hawai'i earned bowl appearances each season, including winning the 2020 New Mexico Bowl over Houston.
Santa Cruz also was a linebackers coach at El Camino High School from 1996-2000.
In his collegiate playing days, he played linebacker at Hawai'i from 1991-94, finishing with 139 tackles in 46 career games. He aided the Rainbow Warriors earn the 1992 WAC title and a victory over Illinois in the Holiday Bowl.
Santa Cruz graduated from Hawai'i in 1995 with a degree in economics, earning his Master's Degree from Azusa Pacific in organizational leadership in 2010. His wife, Jamie, and he have three children: Victor Jr., Izabella and Levi.
