York College Athletics has announced the hiring of Jesús Gonzales Espinoza as the new Head Women's Volleyball Coach and Head Men's and Women's Swimming Coach.
"What we love about Coach Gonzales Espinoza is that he has many versatilities in athletics," said York College Director of Athletics & Recreation, Deneé Barracato. Not only was he a standout volleyball player in college, but he was also a standout swimmer. His strong background in swimming and his recruiting experience will certainly contribute to strengthening our men and women’s swimming programs. We anticipate Coach Gonzales Espinoza will have an immediate impact on our program."
Gonzales comes to York from Queensborough Community College, where he served as an assistant coach and helped to lead the women's volleyball team to a 2017 Region XV and CUNYAC Championship, as well as an appearance into the NJCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championship.
In addition, Gonzales served as the Assistant Coach for the St. Mary's High School Varsity and JV Volleyball teams in Manhasset in 2013. He has also been coaching at the Bayside Volleyball Club since 2012.
Gonzales Espinoza’s most recent coaching experience in swimming was as a volunteer instructor at the Asser Levy Pool from 2014 to 2016, where he helped swimmers increase their skill level and prepare for tri-state area swim competitions.
In 2012, he served as a mentor and Assistant Coach for George Washington High School in Harlem, NY. He was also certified as a NYC Lifeguard and Water Safety Instructor in 1998 and ascended to Lieutenant Lifeguard at the NYC Parks and Recreation department from 2006-2015.
Gonzales Espinoza is also a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, where he served as a Boat Captain and as a Federal Boarding Officer. He was also assigned as a Surface Swimmer rescuer at Station Eatons Neck, a position that only about 5 out of 50 Coast Guard members on a rescue station have the honor of holding.
Gonzales has two science degrees from Brooklyn College, a Bachelor's in Physical Education, K-12 and a second degree in Adaptive Physical Education-Special Education, both earned in 2013. He was captain of the Bulldogs' Men's Volleyball Team, as well as the Men's Swimming & Diving Team in 2011.
"I am truly thankful to Director Deneé and York College for giving me the opportunity to lead the women's volleyball and swimming teams and allowing me to apply my experience and knowledge of sports that I love deeply, as well as learn from what the Cardinals have accomplished," said Gonzales.
