Bio

Cesar Plasencia, Cosumnes River College's Head Women's Soccer Coach, is a fully bilingual (English/Spanish) Sacramento native who graduated from Christian Brothers High School, where he was an “All City” soccer standout and attended and played soccer at Cosumnes River College.

As a player at Cosumnes River College, Cesar scored 38 goals and is the second-leading point scorer in school history. He led the Cosumnes River College soccer team to a State Championship game in 1982 while earning “All NorCal” honors. He also played at Sacramento State, where he was an “All Conference” performer and was recently inducted into Sacramento State’s Soccer Hall of Fame. He also played professionally for six years.

Cesar earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Sacramento State and a Master’s degree in Sports Science from USSA. Cesar, who possesses a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) "A" License and a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Advanced National Diploma, has been coaching soccer for over 28 years. He was the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Sacramento State from 1998–2004 and the Assistant Men’s Soccer Coach at Cosumnes River College from 1993–1996. His coaching philosophy is simple: he believes that if you control the ball, you control the game, which allows you to control the score. His teams play attacking, creative, and vertically dynamic soccer while maintaining a high level of respect for the game.

In 2009, Coach Plasencia was named Community College National Coach of the Year while leading his team to a 16-5-4 overall record and a number two ranking in the state polls. Plasencia also guided his team to a number three national ranking, staking his claim as a coach of national renown. Since Coach Plasencia started at CRC, his teams have steadily improved each year. In 2007, they made their first playoff appearance under his direction. In 2008, they took 5th in the state and were part of the Elite 8. In 2009, they were ranked 3rd in the National Community College Poll and finished as the California State Runners-Up. They have been to the playoffs five years in a row. During this time, he has coached two NSCAA All-Americans and was named Conference Co-Coach of the Year in both 2008 and 2009. Coach Plasencia’s career coaching record is 87-80-36, and he looks to improve on that as he continues his quest for a State Championship.

Whether as a soccer coach, camp director, or teacher, Cesar has over 30 years of professional experience working with young people in soccer and education-related programs. Soccer and teaching are his passion. Cesar is a member of the California Community College Soccer Coaches Association (CCCSCA), United States Soccer Federation (USSF), and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Now entering his 21st season (2026) as Cosumnes River College’s Head Women’s Soccer Coach, Cesar currently resides in Elk Grove, CA with his wife Araceli and their three children. His hobbies include playing golf and spending time with his family.