Eric Solberg set to retire after combined 64 seasons at Fresno City College

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- t's a week of change over at Fresno City College. Monday Tony Caviglia announced his retirement from the leading the football team after 27 years. Wednesday Eric Solberg, a long-time head soccer coach and assistant baseball coach, tells Action News this will be his final season.

"It's just hard," Solberg said. "Physically, mentally challenging. I don't want anyone to play a violin for me but most of my days are 10-12 hours and that at my age just wipes me out."

A Bullard alum, Solberg played at Fresno State under Bob Bennett. He was hired to be Ron Scott's assistant coach in 1989 and the pair won a state title in 1992.

Seven years later he was hired to lead the men's soccer team where he became a two-time national coach of the year, winning 20 conference titles and two state titles in 2017 and 2019.

"I've been a part of 46 conference titles here. There's a chance I've coached more games, not as a head coach, but more games than anyone in California," he said.

Solberg says he'll finish his 38th season with Rams baseball team and 27th year with the soccer team. After close to four decades at the school he says he'll miss the people the most. "That's what JC is about," he said. "Developing people and moving them on educationally. But even if they don't do that, I've had plenty of people who didn't move on educationally but moved on as better people. I'd like to think I helped with that."

In total he's a three time national coach of the year with 3 state titles and was a part of 46 conference titles.

He tells Action News his hope is to stay on adjunct faculty at FCC and still be an assistant baseball coach after his official retirement.

RESUME:

BASEBALL
- Hired in 1989

- 26 conference titles with Baseball, 9 Final Fours, 1992 State Championship

- 2019 National Assistant Coach of the Year (American Baseball Coaches Association)

SOCCER
- Hired in 1999

- 20 conference titles, 10 Final Fours, 2 State Championships (2017, 2019)

- 2016 & 2019 National Coach of the Year (United Soccer Coaches of America)