Ceres Unified School District posted a job listing for its vacant girls soccer head coaching position at Central Valley High School on edjoin.org on March 11.

Miguel Larranaga stepped down as leader of the Hawks to spend more time with his family and take a break from a sport he’s dedicated two-plus decades of his life to.

“I decided it was time for me to give somebody else the opportunity to coach,” said Larranaga, who’s coached high school and club soccer in the area for over 20 years. “It wasn’t an easy decision. I love the program. I love the high school. I love the sport. I will always support CV girls soccer.”

Larranaga informed Hawks’ Athletic Director Greg Magni and CV players of his decision to retire at the Winter Sports Awards Night on March 4.

“He (Magni) wasn’t expecting that,” Larranaga said. “It was a surprise. I’m sorry about that. The support I received from Magni was the best. It was a pleasure working with him all these years.”

Larranaga broke the news about his retirement to his team in a separate room.

“Words couldn’t come out,” he said. “I almost cried. I’m definitely going to miss the team and coaching.”

Larranaga led Central Valley to new heights during his nine-year tenure.

Under Larranaga’s leadership from 2017-2026, the Hawks amassed a 114-62-23 record, advanced to the section finals once, claimed five league titles, secured five playoff berths and surpassed the 20-win mark twice.

“I kept coming back because I loved to coach,” said Larranaga, Central Valley’s all-time winningest coach. “I enjoyed every year. We had so much talent. It’s hard to let it go. I’m used to being the coach of the program and representing the high school. But it’s time for me to do some other things.”

Central Valley enjoyed its most successful season to date during Larranaga’s first season as head coach in 2017-18.

The Hawks made their first-ever appearance in a Sac-Joaquin Section championship game, amassed a program-best 21-2-2 overall record, claimed their third consecutive Western Athletic Conference crown and won the title at the ultra-competitive Buchanan Tournament in Clovis.

Central Valley climbed to No. 1 in the state and No. 12 in the nation in the MaxPreps rankings on Dec. 15, 2017 thanks to a 9-0-2 showing during the preseason.

The Hawks collected nine wins, one loss and no ties against WAC competition. Larranaga was voted the conference’s Coach of the Year.

Central Valley had its program-record, tying 17-game unbeaten streak snapped by crosstown-rival Ceres High.

The Hawks fell agonizingly short of bringing home the blue Sac-Joaquin Section Division-III championship banner.

Third-seeded Central Valley lost 1-0 to No. 4 Woodland in the finals.

The Hawks bested No. 2 Sierra 5-4 in penalty kicks on the road in the semifinals.

Central Valley topped No. 6 Vista del Lago 4-2 in PKs in the quarterfinals.

The Hawks escaped with a 1-0 victory over No. 14 Pioneer in the first round.

“That was our most successful year,” Larranaga stated. “We were No. 1 in the state. That was amazing. Not a lot of teams can say that.”

Larranaga led Central Valley to six winning seasons in nine years.

His teams had a combined record of 66-28-14 in conference play.

The Hawks collected 35 wins, nine losses and two ties during Larranaga’s final two seasons. Central Valley accumulated 25 wins and just two losses on its way to claiming back-to-back WAC titles.

Larranaga was voted WAC Coach of the Year in 2017-18 and the Central California Conference’s top leader in 2018-19.

“The program is going to stay strong,” he said. “They have an amazing group for the next couple of years.”

Six of Larranaga’s players earned league Most Valuable Player honors, including Ashley Juarez (2025-26), Aaralyn Jauregui (2024-25), Angie Medrano (2020-21), Jocelyn Lopez (2018-19, 2017-18), Evelyn Andrade (2015-16) and Emely Amaya (2014-15).

“The more talent you have, the easier it is to coach,” he said.

Lopez developed into one of the top players in the Sac-Joaquin Section under Larranaga’s guidance.

She earned a scholarship to Stanislaus State.

“A lot of my success is rooted from him,” Lopez said. “He believed in me. He gave me confidence to believe in myself in high-pressure moments. He guided me through the recruiting process. He saw so much potential in all of his players. He had amazing coaching instincts. We wanted to show up, work hard and win. We all had such a competitive mentality. That’s what made us extremely successful. Those years were fun because of him. He definitely transformed the program.”

A successful coach in the youth club soccer world, Larranaga sought another challenge when agreeing to become Central Valley’s head coach.

“I wanted to do something different,” he said. “I’m glad I took the job.”

Larranaga did more than continue Central Valley’s winning tradition.

He raised the bar.

“I wanted to do everything I could to make the program very successful,” he said.

Larranaga also generated a host of memories with his three daughters: Marcella, Edith and Miranda.

Marcella was a four-year varsity player with the Hawks (2023-26).

“I spent a lot of time with her,” he said. “It was a dream experience.”

Miguel coached against Edith and Miranda, who suited up for the crosstown-rival Bulldogs.

Edith and Miranda graduated from Ceres High in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

“It was fun,” he said.

Miguel and Lisa, his wife of 23 years, plan to travel a lot in the near future.

“I’ll have more free time now,” he said. “We’re going to New York in a couple months. We’re planning to go overseas. Maybe somewhere in Europe. I couldn’t have done it (coached) without her (Lisa). She’s always supported me. That’s something you have to have to have success.”