Coach Bios
Fairmont has a world-class team of coaches and coaching staff. Bios are listed below (alphabetically), by campus.
San Juan Capistrano
KEVIN BIEKSA
Ice Hockey
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
Brian Brennan
Boys Basketball
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)
Dean Caban
Ice Hockey
Josh Goedl
Strength & Conditioning
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
Gustav Gratzer
Boys & Girls Soccer
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
Dack Petersen
Ice Hockey
Prep Academy
Sara Brown
Girls Basketball
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!
Joedy Gardner
Boys Basketball
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.
Carrisa Montenegro
Cheerleading
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!
Dack Petersen
Ice Hockey