Coach Bios

Fairmont has a world-class team of coaches and coaching staff. Bios are listed below (alphabetically), by campus.

Coach Bios

San Juan Capistrano

Coach Bios

KEVIN BIEKSA

Ice Hockey

# years coaching at Fairmont:
1

Total # years coaching:
8

Experience as a player:
Professional (NHL, IIHF)

I love coaching because:
I’m able to share my knowledge and experiences and I like being around the players.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
Starting a new program and building the foundation

Notable athletes coached:
Trace Frieden

Childhood ambition:
Play in the NHL

Perfect day:
On ice for practice, golf, movie/dinner, walk dog at night

Inspiration:
Competition

First job:
Horse ranch

Favorite movie:
Youngblood

Retreat/relax:
Cottage

Indulgence:
Cottage

Coach Bios

Brian Brennan

Boys Basketball

# years coaching at Fairmont:
First year

Total # years coaching:
18

Experience as a player:
3 Year Varsity Letter Basketball Baseball , 1998 OC All-Star ,Empire League Champ, All league both sports. Career leader assists and steals. College team captain, all tournament teams.

I love coaching because:
I’ve dedicated my adult/coaching life to helping all athletes of all abilities build for life. I use 5 Pillars to build my players and programs. Humility, Unity, Servant Leadership, Thankfulness and Passion. These core values are what excite me each and every day to promote , instill and live alongside my student athletes.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
The community and family atmosphere is the backbone and what drew me to Fairmont San Juan Capistrano.

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
Holding our first successful mini camp in my first year.

Notable athletes coached:
Brooke Demetre (Stanford) Bri Roberson (Stanford) Sean Starkey (LBSU)Alexis Moore (USC) Jeremy Major (Pepperdine)

Childhood ambition:
Professional Athlete, Teacher, Coach

Perfect day:
4am workout, sunrise coffee, walk with wife, breakfast with kids, read and journal, pool side in palm springs, steak dinner at The Purple Room

Inspiration:
Each morning I wake up with breath in my lungs. Being the best version of myself for those who rely on me.

First job:
Walmart

Favorite movie:
Ocean’s 11 (Sinatra Version)

Retreat/relax:
Palm Springs

Fondest memory:
All 4 of my children’s births. The day my wife and I were married.

Indulgence:
Ice Cream

Other fun facts:
I enjoy collecting and listening to Vinyl ( all genres throughout the years)

Coach Bios

Dean Caban

Ice Hockey

Dean has been coaching for over 18 years. He was a head skating instructor at Edge of Excellence for 15 years, and a head coach with Pursuit of Excellence for 12 years. Dean has worked with players from around the world, including North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Many of the players Dean has worked with have gone on to have professional careers in hockey. Dean is an expert in skating, and has spent countless hours analyzing skating techniques, which has helped him quickly hone in on the specific skills players need to skate their best. He also has expertise in both offensive and defensive skills that include puck skills, shooting, deception, and more, which helps him provide effective training to hockey players regardless of their needs. An expert in the field of youth coaching, Dean is world-renowned for using his expertise to help young hockey players reach their fullest potential.
Coach Bios

Josh Goedl

Strength & Conditioning

# years coaching at Fairmont:
1

Total # years coaching:
14

Experience as a player:
Chapman University, AFL

I love coaching because:
I get to inspire athletes to meet their fullest potential.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
Administrative Support

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
Involvement with the sports academy

Notable athletes coached:
Multitude of collegiate and professional athletes in multiple sports

Childhood ambition:
Be an architect

Perfect day:
Beach

Inspiration:
To be the person i needed to have when I was a young athlete

First job:
Disneyland

Favorite movie:
Point Break 1991

Retreat/relax:
Get out to nature away from the hustle and bustle
Indulgence:
Any combination of chocolate and peanut butter

Coach Bios

Gustav Gratzer

Boys & Girls Soccer

# years coaching at Fairmont:
16

Total # years coaching:
26

Experience as a player:
CIF champion as a player, and 2 CIF championships as a coach at Woodbridge High School in Irvine. Played collegiate soccer at UC Irvine. As a coach at Strikers FC, helped develop numerous pros and US national team members, along with division 1 athletes.

I love coaching because:
I love watching kids grow and develop in the sport they love. To see kids’ reactions after reaching their goals is priceless.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
The support and opportunity to grow the soccer program.

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
All kids I have had the pleasure of coaching

Notable athletes coached:
Benny Feilhaber, Bobby Wood, Steven Birnbaum, Christian Ramirez, Francis Jacobs

Childhood ambition:
Professional soccer player

Perfect day:
Hanging with my daughter and wife on the beach in a hammock

Inspiration:
My father

First job:
Retail soccer store

Favorite movie:
Top Gun
Fondest memory:
Soccer Training with my dad at the park

Other fun fact:
I am the son of an Ecuadorian mother and Austrian father

Coach Bios

Dack Petersen

Ice Hockey

Dack Petersen was born in Ontario, Canada with hockey in his blood which began as a young child skating in a backyard rink. Moving to Southern California at a young age did not change his mindset. Moving up among the ranks of youth hockey in SoCal allowed him to play for the first High School hockey team within the Anaheim Ducks league moving on to play Tier 1 hockey. After graduating high school in Orange County, he went back to Canada to attend University and played junior hockey within the Ontario Hockey Association. After hanging his skates up and shifting into a corporate Learning & Development consulting career, the urge to give back to the hockey community led him to coach. Skating for some of the best coaches in Southern California gave Dack the foundations to build his experience and player development philosophy. Dack believes that developing a player does not happen just on the ice. The foundations to develop young athletes into respectful, socially responsible young men and women who possess a good work ethic come from lessons learned on and off the ice. By holding all players accountable and allowing them to make mistakes leads to positive failure.

Prep Academy

Coach Bios

Sara Brown

Girls Basketball

# years coaching at Fairmont:
3

Total # years coaching:
10 years

Experience as a player:
Coach Sara Brown has been a high school basketball coach since 2014, recently completing her second season at Fairmont Prep. With her guidance, the Huskies finished two consecutive seasons with overall records of 25-8, crowned two-time Co-Champions of the San Joaquin League, made a CIF-SS 2AA Championship Finalist appearance, and a CIF-Southern Section Division 1 Semi-Final appearance, while competing in the Division 1 CIF State Playoffs for two consecutive seasons, and finishing at the schools highest ranking in school history in 2021 as 2nd in Orange County.

Prior to Fairmont Prep, Coach Brown was previously at Edison High School. While at Edison, she began as the Varsity assistant coach under Dan Wiley and would spend the next four years as the Head Coach. While at Edison, Coach Brown made multiple CIF appearances and finished 2nd in the Sunset League. In addition, Coach Brown was a standout high school athlete as an All-county, All-state and All American basketball player. Coach Brown was also a 3 time CIF-SS 1A Champion at San Clemente High School. Coach Brown would continue her basketball playing career with a full-ride scholarship to the Division 1 level playing for Colorado State and eventually transferring to Loyola Marymount University to complete her playing career. At LMU, she would receive her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and soon after pursue her Master’s Degree in Sports Management from the University of San Francisco. Currently, Coach Brown teaches at Fairmont Prep as the International Business Program’s Director.

I love coaching because:
I love coaching because there is nothing more powerful than when a team comes together to accomplish a set of goals, and turns their dreams into a reality. I love building up young women and teaching lifelong skills such as: responsibility, accountability, strong character, the ability to handle adversity, competitive spirit, toughness, unselfishness, effective communication, and lifelong learners. I believe these are key building blocks to achieving success on the court and in life. I find great fulfillment in helping these young women accomplish individual and team goals, and in turn this creates a winning program.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
The school spirit!

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
Coaching in the CIF-SS 2AA Championship

Notable athletes you’ve coached:
There are too many to list in my coaching career. At Fairmont Prep: Milan Robinson, AnLing Su Vera, Makaila Glynn and Mia Yamamoto

Childhood ambition:
To play Division 1 college basketball

Perfect day:
Spending time with family and friends.

Inspiration:
My Parents.

First job:
Sports Chalet Associate

Favorite movie:
Rocky

Relax/Retreat:
Spa Day

Fondest memory:
Hitting the game winning shot to advance to the Division 1 CIF state quarterfinals my senior year of high school.

Indulgence:
Shopping

Other fun fact:
I love to travel

Anything else?
I am extremely grateful to be coaching at Fairmont Prep!

Coach Bios

Joedy Gardner

Boys Basketball

# years coaching at Fairmont:
6

Total # years coaching:
30 plus years

Experience as a player:
Played in HS and a High School All American, played in College and was named to All League 4 straight years, Honorable Mention All American and Academic All America. Drafted by the NBA Houston Rockets in 1984. Played Professionally in Europe for 7 years.

I love coaching because:
I love Coaching as it gives me the opportunity to mentor young men and develop their skills both on and off the court..these young men and other young people are our future and sharing my own experiences gives them the knowledge to continue to make America the finest country to live and serve.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
The culture and Family environment. The support by the parent, faculty and Administration is second to none. Everyday I am at Fairmont is exciting and always puts a smile on my face. It’s an honor to be a Husky !

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
As a Coach, winning the Schools 1st Boys Basketball CIF Championship which put us on the Map and now being named the Number 1 Basketball small school in the State. I am Blessed to have a great Coaching Staff. We have also won our League for 5 straight years with an overall League record of 56-2.

Notable athletes you’ve coached;
A few noteable athletes are: Klay Thompson (Golden State Warriors). Kevin Love (Cleveland Cavs), Brandon Jennings, Tyson Chandler, Taj Gibson (Chicago Bulls) to name a few.

Childhood ambition:
To play in the NBA, become a Coach, and be the best Husband and Father I can be.

Perfect day:
Everyday is a Perfect day. Doing what I have always dreamed of doing and helping others to be the best they can be.
Inspiration:
My inspiration when I was young was Jerry West. As I have gotten older My Family and close friends.

First job:
Lifeguard

Favorite movie:
Rocky

Fondest memory:
Getting Married to my wife, Sheri and the birth of my children.

Indulgence:
Any outdoor activities like playing Golf, going to the beach.

Other fun fact:
Very emotional about people I am close to.

Anything else you think would be helpful to know?
I consider Jerry West, like my Uncle.

Coach Bios

Carrisa Montenegro

Cheerleading

# years coaching at Fairmont:
3

Total # years coaching:
3

Experience as a player:
High school

I love coaching because:
I love seeing the athletes learn new things and be excited about their events.

The best thing about coaching at Fairmont is:
The support from the athletic department.

Highlights of coaching career at Fairmont:
The reaction of the crowd when the cheerleaders performed new stunts.

Notable athletes coached:
Cordelia Loyo

Childhood ambition:
To be on stage!

Perfect day:
Nature walk with my family, coffee shop, good book

Inspiration:
My high school Psychology teacher

First job:
Making pizzas at a local pizza shop in Paso Robles, California

Favorite movie:
The Truman Show

Retreat/relax:
At the beach, or at the movies!

Fondest memory:
Visiting New York with my husband and eating at a Momofuku restaurant

Indulgence:
Ice cream!

Coach Bios

Dack Petersen

Ice Hockey

Dack Petersen was born in Ontario, Canada with hockey in his blood which began as a young child skating in a backyard rink. Moving to Southern California at a young age did not change his mindset. Moving up among the ranks of youth hockey in SoCal allowed him to play for the first High School hockey team within the Anaheim Ducks league moving on to play Tier 1 hockey. After graduating high school in Orange County, he went back to Canada to attend University and played junior hockey within the Ontario Hockey Association. After hanging his skates up and shifting into a corporate Learning & Development consulting career, the urge to give back to the hockey community led him to coach. Skating for some of the best coaches in Southern California gave Dack the foundations to build his experience and player development philosophy. Dack believes that developing a player does not happen just on the ice. The foundations to develop young athletes into respectful, socially responsible young men and women who possess a good work ethic come from lessons learned on and off the ice. By holding all players accountable and allowing them to make mistakes leads to positive failure.

Culture of Excellence

Founded on innovation, Fairmont propels student success in the US and around the world.

We Are Family

Fairmont meets children where they are and gives them the opportunity to thrive. We can’t wait to meet you!

Continuum of Learning

Five dynamic campuses in Orange County, CA offering individualized instruction for P-12th grade students.

Anaheim Hills Campus (Preschool - 8th Grade)
Historic Anaheim Campus (Preschool - 8th Grade)
North Tustin Campus (Pre-K - 8th Grade)
Preparatory Academy (9th - 12th Grade)
San Juan Capistrano Campus (Preschool - 12th Grade)
Campus Calendars

Developing Leaders

Fairmont's scholar-athletes compete in a manner that promotes teamwork, nurtures leadership, and honors sportsmanship.

Cultivating Creativity

Whether exploring visual art, music, theatre or dance, Fairmont encourages creative expression from an early age.

Balance + Connection

Students are challenged to strive for their best, understanding that care for self and others is fundamental to success in school and in life.

Parents

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