Victor Santa Cruz joined the Towson University football staff in Towson, Maryland, in 2026 as special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach, reuniting with head coach Pete Shinnick after their earlier time together at Azusa Pacific.
Santa Cruz arrived at Towson after head coaching stints at Azusa Pacific from 2006 to 2019 and at JSerra Catholic High School from 2023 to 2025. He first worked at Azusa Pacific under Shinnick as offensive coordinator beginning in 2001, then served as defensive coordinator from 2004 to 2005 before being promoted to head coach. His teams won 84 games, captured four Great Northwest Athletic Conference titles, and made five playoff appearances. In 2011, Azusa Pacific reached the NAIA quarterfinals and finished No. 5 nationally. After the program moved to NCAA Division II in 2012, his teams returned to the playoffs in 2016 and 2018. He also coached future NFL players Terrell Watson and Matt Orzech.
