Bio

Brett Sanchez completed his third season as the head wrestling coach at Clackamas Community College and has quickly established himself as one of the premier coaches in the NJCAA.

In his tenure as head coach, Sanchez has produced 16 NJCAA All-Americans, 7 NJCAA National Finalists, and 5 NJCAA National Champions. He has also led the Cougars to multiple team honors, keeping the program among the nation’s elite:

• 2023 Season: Region 18 Conference Champions; voted Region 18 Coach of the Year.
• 2024 Season: NJCAA National Duals Champions and a 4th-place finish at the NJCAA National Championship.
• 2025 Season: NJCAA National Duals Runner-Up, Region 18 Conference Champions, NJCAA National Championship Runner-Up; voted Region 18 Coach of the Year for the second time.

Before becoming head coach, Sanchez served as Associate Head Coach at Clackamas (2019–2021), where he helped the Cougars capture 3 NJCAA National Team Titles and coached 24 NJCAA All-Americans and 4 NJCAA National Champions.

Sanchez’s wrestling journey began at Clovis High School in Clovis, California, where he graduated in 2008. He was a 2x Central Section Champion, 2x CIF California State Placewinner, and helped Clovis capture the 2008 Team State Championship. A multi-sport athlete, he also competed in football and baseball.

He continued his career at Clackamas Community College, becoming the first California recruit of the Josh Rhoden era. Sanchez was a 2x NJCAA All-American, placing 3rd at the NJCAA National Championships in 2009 and 2011 at 184 lbs, and helped lead the Cougars to the 2011 NJCAA National Team Title. After earning his associate’s degree in 2011, he transferred to Grand Canyon University, where he competed at the NCAA Division II level and graduated in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Following his competitive career, Sanchez transitioned into coaching. He served as Associate Head Coach at Mater Dei Catholic (2014–2015) before becoming Head Coach (2016–2018). He also founded UTB Wrestling, a youth-to-high-school wrestling club in San Diego County. In 2019, Sanchez returned to Clackamas as Associate Head Coach under longtime head coach Josh Rhoden, before being named head coach in 2023.

Outside of coaching, Sanchez is a dedicated family man. He is married to his wife Gabrielle, and together they have two children, Noah Jett and Layla.