Cabrillo College football head coach takes family medical leave

Justin Hansen steps away from coaching duties through spring 2026 semester

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Cabrillo College football head coach Justin Hansen has begun a formal family medical leave of absence, the school announced. Hansen is expected to be away from his coaching duties through the end of the spring 2026 semester, with the possibility of the leave extending into and through the '26 season. The school's athletics director said the focus is now on supporting the coaching staff and players as they continue the program's operations during Hansen's absence.

Why it matters

The leave of absence for the head coach comes after a difficult 2-8 season for the Cabrillo College football team, which included several blowout losses. While some fans have speculated about Hansen's future, the school has emphasized that the leave is due to personal family matters and unrelated to the team's on-field performance.

The details

Hansen, who was hired in 2021 to resurrect the Cabrillo football program from a two-year suspension, will be away from the team as his assistant coaches collectively manage the program's operations. The staff includes Anthony Valdivia, John Stow, Anthony Romero, Derek Cahill, Ismansjah (Smo) Soekardi, Ray Myers, and Stephen Warren. An interim head coach is expected to be named in the coming weeks.

  • Hansen is expected to be away from his coaching duties through the end of the spring 2026 semester.
  • There's a possibility the leave will extend into and through the '26 season.

The players

Justin Hansen

The head coach of the Cabrillo College football team who has begun a formal family medical leave of absence.

Mark Ramsey

The Cabrillo College athletics director who said the school is supportive of Hansen putting his family first during this time.

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What they’re saying

“We hope to have him back when the time is right. But, for now, we're totally supportive of him putting his family first. And, we're behind him.”

— Mark Ramsey, Cabrillo College Athletics Director (santacruzsentinel.com)

“Right now, our focus is on the guys we have here and the recruits we've been talking to. Really, we want all of the local high school players to continue to come here and play for their hometown fans, and just help build Seahawk football. We have a great group of guys at the reigns and doing great things.”

— Mark Ramsey, Cabrillo College Athletics Director (santacruzsentinel.com)

What’s next

An interim head coach is expected to be named from the existing staff in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The leave of absence for the Cabrillo College football head coach highlights the importance of prioritizing personal and family matters, even for high-profile positions. The school's focus on supporting the coaching staff and players during this transition period demonstrates their commitment to the program's long-term success.