Bio

Santiago Canyon College is proud to announce the hiring of Leilani Utupo as the next Head Coach of its women’s flag football program, ushering in a new era of leadership, competitive excellence, and student-athlete development.

Utupo brings nearly a decade of coaching experience across high school and collegiate athletics, with a proven track record of building successful programs and empowering student-athletes both on and off the field. She currently serves as an assistant coach with the University of Southern California’s women’s flag football program, where she specializes in athlete development, strength and conditioning, and performance optimization within a collegiate framework.

Utupo’s coaching journey includes serving as the inaugural head flag football coach at Lakewood High School, where she led the program to a CIF playoff appearance and helped establish a competitive foundation. She has also coached at Long Beach Polytechnic High School, contributing as a defensive coordinator and performance leader, while collaborating across multiple sports to enhance athlete performance and academic success.

Her achievements include being nominated as an LA County Head Coach for the Los Angeles Chargers All-Star Game in 2024 and guiding teams to championship-level performances, including a CIF-Southern Section finalist appearance and league titles in multiple sports.

Utupo’s coaching philosophy centers on communication, accountability, and evidence-based training. With expertise in strength and conditioning and applied sport science, she is dedicated to preparing athletes for the demands of collegiate competition while prioritizing injury prevention and long-term development.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Public Affairs from California State University, Long Beach, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Coaching and Exercise Science at Concordia University, Irvine.

As Santiago Canyon College continues to grow its women’s athletics programs, Utupo’s leadership signals a strong commitment to excellence, opportunity, and the advancement of women’s flag football.