Biography
Coach Ruiz has served as a high school and collegiate basketball coach for over 35 years. Starting at Santa Barbara City College, Dos Pueblos High School, Long Beach State, and Lakewood High School.
In 1998 he decided to move from coaching on the bench to the administration desk as the Boys Athletic Director at Lakewood High School from 1998-2014. During this same time he served as a Teacher until 2023. He retired from Lakewood High School in June 2023.
After high school retirement he served one year 2023-2024 as interim middle school social studies teacher for Bethany Lutheran School in Long Beach and coached both middle school JV and Varsity teams
Married for 35 years to his wife Jeanne, have two children Austin (30) and Chloe (25).
Active member of Bethany Lutheran Church in Long Beach CA.
Education
- 1989 M.A., Educational Administration, California State University, Long Beach
- 1984 B.A., Liberal Studies, University of California, Santa Barbara
MCAA Classes Taught
- MCAA 510 Principles of Leadership and Coaching
- MCAA 530 Ethics and Sport
- MCAA 560 Interscholastic Leadership and Administration
- MCAA 595 Culminating Project
Major Honors and Awards
- 2001-2002 – Division 1-AA CIF Coach of the Year award.
- 2004-2005 – Moore League Coach of the Year Long Beach Press Telegram Coach of the Year LA Times Regional Coach of the Year
- 2022 – inducted into the Santa Barbara Court of Champions, honoring coaches and players who have significantly impacted the sport of basketball in the Greater Santa Barbara area.
Matt reflects on the MCAA Program
With most of our students being active coaches, teachers, and administrators, I appreciate that the MCAA faculty and administration respects our students as working professionals and offers them an education, provided by experienced coaches and administrators, that can be directly applied to their athletic endeavors, whether it be in coaching or administration.