After 27 seasons, 20 conference titles, 10 final four appearances and two state championships, Fresno City College’s Eric Solberg will coach his final season with the men’s soccer team.

On Wednesday Nov. 19, the Rams beat Contra Costa 5-0 in the first round of the Northern California state playoffs, in what was his final home game as head coach.

Solberg talked about his journey to becoming the head soccer coach, starting just as a part-time coach at FCC.

“I thought I was going to only get hired for baseball, but I also had a background in soccer,” Solberg said.

Solberg, a Fresno native was hired 38 years ago as an assistant baseball coach at FCC. He spent his first 11 seasons as a part time coach before taking over as the men’s soccer head coach. In addition to soccer, Solberg also spent his years as an assistant pitching coach for the FCC baseball team. 

Solberg has been a part of 46 conference titles at FCC. He said coaching at FCC has been very rewarding.

In the last 27 years only five coaches from Northern California have won men’s soccer state titles. Solberg has won two of them.

Solberg said he’s ready to step away from his head coaching position.

“I’m just tired, I’m literally just tired,” Solberg said.

Solberg plans to remain as a part-time baseball coach for the immediate future. 

Solberg will leave a big impact on his players, coaches and the program as a whole.

“Its going to be very tough shoes to fill,” Oliver Germond, women’s soccer head coach said. “The relationships he’s had with his players, in my opinion, has been the biggest part of his success.”

Germond said Solberg has built a relationship with his players over winning.

“I remember their second state championship, all his players celebrated on the field by chanting his name,” Germond said.

Solberg is emotional about stepping away and said leaving his assistant coaches will be one of the hardest parts.

“I’ll regret not being here next year,” Solberg said. 

Solberg left advice for the next head coach.

“The main advice I would give to whoever takes over is to be yourself and just work at it everyday,” Solberg said. 

Nick Andersen, an assistant coach for FCC men’s soccer team, has been coaching with Solberg for 19 years since 2006. Andersen played soccer for Solberg at FCC in 2000-2001.

“When Solberg and I talked he was around 400 wins, tonight’s win might have put him at his 400th win,” Andersen said.

After coaching for 27 years, Solberg’s decision to retire came halfway through this season.

“I think in his senses, the timing is right,” Anderson said.