Coaches Corner
Coach Jose Pedraza
Head Wrestling Coach
Coach Pedraza is a graduate of Capistrano Valley High School of 1994, Cal State Fullerton 2002, and National University 2012. He was a 4-year varsity wrestler and continued his passion for coaching for the last 20 years in schools including San Clemente, Beckman, and Segerstrom. Coach Pedraza has also held junior clinics helping boys and girls prep before entering the high school level of wrestling.
Coach Pedraza holds a Masters in Education. His passion for teaching has led him into the adult learning private sector. His career allows him to coach and even be a part of the Orange County Wresting Official's Association where he has recently been promoted to level A official. Going on his 5th year of coaching for the Chargers, Mr. Pedraza has helped the development of a competitive team and Saddleback Valley’s first all-girl wrestling team. He brings his strong belief in the integrity of the sport of wrestling and understands the dedication it takes for wrestlers to survive a season.
Coach Pedraza has a 5 year old daughter, Logan Pedraza, and a 2 year old son Lorenzo Pedraza. He enjoys spending time with them in any competitive sports and developing their mental and motor skills. He also enjoys spending time with his family, playing basketball, golf, and riding his Harley.
Coach Andrej Strauss
Assistant Coach
"What you do for yourself dies with you when you leave this world, what you do for others lives on forever." ̴ Sir Ken Robinson
Coach Strauss grew up playing a number of sports and was a part of several teams, including the El Toro Chargers; he bleeds blue and gold. He was always privileged to have the best coaches and support as he grew up and wanted to give back to the High School that gave these opportunities to him. He has a son on the team and his daughter is our team manager. He cleans the mats, tapes up the wrestlers, encourages the wrestler and does anything else that needs to be done. He is passionate about our program and the kids we serve. He enjoys most of all being the announcer at our duals and watching the kids bring to life the lessons they learn training. When he is not working for the wrestlers, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Sarah, out in the deserts doing astrophotography.
Coach Nieblas has been coaching wrestling for 23 years and had a 2-years stint at Dana Hills. After taking a couple of seasons off, he's excited to be back. Along with wrestling he coached a few seasons of frosh football. Pat is a 1978 graduate of El Toro High School where he lettered in both football and wrestling. He wrestled and lettered at Santa Ana College and continued his education at Pepperdine University earning a BS degree. He has been employed at McDonnell Douglas/Boeing for the past 38 years. He lives in Trabuco Canyon with his wife Kathy where they raised their 4 children; Jessica, Ali, Tim and Eddie. He enjoys being with his family and new grandson John, friends and playing guitar.
Coach Pat Nieblas
Assistant Coach