Coach Julio Ayala was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended Verbum Dei High School, where he played soccer and ran cross country. Coach Ayala graduated from Humboldt State University with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, emphasizing Exercise Science and Health Promotion. He also earned a Master of Science in Kinesiology, with an emphasis on Coaching and Exercise Science, from Concordia Irvine University in 2020.

While at Humboldt State, Coach Ayala worked as a personal trainer at Health Sport Gym and assisted at the Humboldt State University Human Performance Lab. There, he screened clients, completed various fitness assessments, and evaluated results to help develop personalized programs.

Coach Ayala began his coaching career at College of the Redwoods as a volunteer intern assistant for the men’s soccer team in spring 2017. He helped with spring season conditioning in the weight room, focusing on developing overall strength and cardio fitness. In the fall of 2017, he became the assistant coach for the College of the Redwoods women’s team, helping to restart the program after a hiatus and achieving great success in its first year back. He was promoted to head coach in 2018.

Under his leadership, over 20 female student-athletes graduated with associate degrees, completed certificate programs, and transferred to various universities. During his tenure as head coach and assistant, the program achieved two of its three winning seasons in its history (2017-18 and 2019-20), with a .500 or better win/loss overall record.

In addition to coaching the soccer team, Coach Ayala worked as an instructor for the Department of Athletics at College of the Redwoods, teaching various fitness courses. He also worked for the multicultural center as a tutor, helped run the Latino student club, gave presentations for the center, and provided open tutoring and support.

In the summer of 2022, Coach Ayala moved to Contra Costa College as the head soccer coach, helping the men’s soccer program achieve runner-up status in the Bay Valley Conference in 2022. He received nominations for Coach of the Year in 2022. Since taking over the program, he has helped several student-athletes graduate, with three making the CCCSCA All-Star Showcase, ten making the Bay Valley All-Conference first and second teams, and several receiving opportunities to play at the next level.

While coaching soccer, Coach Ayala also teaches fitness courses for the kinesiology department at Contra Costa College. He has earned the US Soccer “D” License and US Soccer Grassroots license, Nor Cal Premier ACF Fiorentina Youth Development Diploma, United Soccer Coaches futsal diploma level 1, and USA Weightlifting Sports Performance Coach Certification.

Coach Julio believes in working hard and always giving your best. He encourages student-athletes to value education and the opportunity to play soccer at the college level, believing that community college offers a great pathway to bigger and better things.