Life Pacific has announced the hire of a new Head Coach to lead the Women’s Basketball program. After four seasons as the Lead Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Richard Salgado will take on a new role as the Head Coach for Life Pacific’s Women’s Basketball program.
“When building a program, you have to do it with people that are willing to sacrifice their time and resources. After working these past 3 1/2 years with Coach Rich Salgado on the men’s side, it was the hardest yet easiest decision I’ve ever made to move him over to be the Head Women’s Coach of the Life Pacific Warriors. The program will be built under incredible character, integrity, and Christ-like ways. I look forward to seeing what Coach Rich and the Lady Warriors can build now and for the future! The program is in great hands.” – Athletic Director/Head Men’s Basketball Coach Tim Cook
During his time as an assistant coach under Head Coach and Athletic Director Tim Cook, Coach Salgado helped lead the Warriors to a conference (PCAC) championship, an NCCAA West Regional Championship and two back to back NCCAA national appearances where the Warriors were ranked #7 nationally, compiling a 54-42 overall record. In addition to contributing to the team’s success, Salgado was instrumental in developing three NCCAA All-Americans along with one NCCAA National Player of the Year. Salgado also served as the team’s primary strength and conditioning coach, Game Management Director and currently serves on the council for athletics.
In addition to basketball, Coach Salgado served as Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Cross-Country teams, leading the LP Warriors into their inaugural season in the GSAC conference. In his two years as Head Coach (2016-2017, 2017-2018), the Warriors represented well, running against top NCAA D1 teams like the University of Alabama and USC as well as facing off against other top NCAA D2, D3, and fellow NAIA programs.
Coach Salgado is a Los Angeles native and has strong roots in the Southern California basketball community. Prior to Life Pacific, Salgado began his coaching career at the high school level eventually working his way up to an assistant coaching position at Victor Valley College. There he served as an assistant for both the women’s and men’s basketball programs where he was responsible for recruiting, player development, and strength and conditioning. Since then he has been actively involved in player development and strength training during the offseason as an independent coach. Coach Salgado is also very active in the AAU circuit where he currently coaches and trains for the Uptempo Basketball Academy program.
Faith in God and love for family is everything to Coach Salgado. Without those two things, he believes he would not be where he is today. Coach Salgado’s passion is to build leaders out of his student-athletes so that they are prepared for their careers and lives after basketball. He hopes to use basketball and coaching as a way to inspire the next generation of athletes to not only achieve their dreams but to also motivate them to make an impact once they graduate from Life Pacific.
Coach Salgado is currently working towards his degree in Sociology from Cal Poly Pomona. He has been married to his beautiful wife Lisa for 21 years and is the proud father of three children; Alyssa (20), Zaye (16), and his youngest Silas (14).
