Claudio Rivas joined the Bulldogs prior to the 2000 season as an assistant to the men’s soccer program, bringing over 20 years of playing and coaching experience to the University of Redlands. In addition to working at the college level, Rivas provides his soccer expertise to local high school teams.

After building a strong program in two years as the head girls’ soccer coach at Redlands East Valley High School, Rivas took over the boys’ program in 2002, leading the Wildcats to the school’s first Citrus Belt League title and a playoff appearance in his inaugural season. Rivas also served as the head coach of the boys' soccer team at Redlands High School from 2004 to 2007. After leading the team to a playoff appearance in 2004, Rivas was named CIF Coach of the Year by the Riverside Press-Enterprise. In 2007 Rivas joined Yucaipa High School as an advisor to the boys’ soccer program and later took over the program in 2008.

Credentialed with the United States Soccer Federation “B” coaching license and Youth National coaching license, Rivas is also active in the California Youth Soccer Association-South (CalSouth), holding clinics for coaches to help them earn their certification. He is also a member of the coaching staff for CalSouth and Region IV Olympic Development Program.

In addition to all of his work with soccer, Rivas has been an employee at Environmental Systems Research Institute (Esri) in Redlands for more than 20 years.

A semi-professional soccer player during the 1980s, Rivas now stays active by coaching local soccer club teams, riding his bicycle and working out at the gym. Beginning in 2004, he has competed in the 50-mile Rosarito-Ensenada Bike Race several times. He also enjoys returning to his native Mexico, where he and his wife, Leah, stroll through the streets sampling Puerto Nuevo’s lobsters. Rivas takes pleasure in coaching because it releases everyday tensions in his life and also allows him to teach the game he loves to a new generation of players. A father to Elizabeth and grandfather to Alexis Copas, Rivas resides with his wife in Redlands.