Former Cougar wide-out Steve Rodriguez is back at his alma mater as a second-year assistant coach. He handles the Cougar wide receivers, which this season features a strong corps of players that comprise one of the deepest positions on the Cougar offense.
Before returning to Azusa Pacific, Rodriguez spent 2 seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, El Rancho High School in Pico Rivera, Calif., where he worked with receivers on both the varsity and freshman levels.
A key member of Azusa Pacific's 1998 NAIA national championship team, Rodriguez lettered 4 years for the Cougars at wide receiver. He caught 18 passes in his career, including 15 for 176 yards (11.6 avg.) during his senior campaign. During the playoff run, Rodriguez had 8 catches in 4 games, including a career-best 4 grabs for 36 yards in an opening round 31-28 victory over Taylor (Ind.).
Rodriguez prepped at El Rancho High where he lettered 3 years in football and golf. On the gridiron, he earned All-Del Rio League as a corner back following his 1994 senior campaign.
Born Aug., 2, 1977, in Montebello, Calif., Rodriguez graduated from Azusa Pacific in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in social science. He is currently finishing his teaching credential at Azusa Pacific. Since the fall of 1999, he has taught seventh-grade history at Rivera Middle School in Pico Rivera.
