Pope John Paul II has named Norman Pineda the new girls’ soccer coach to replace Doug Gordon, who retired stepping down after 12-years of voluntary service with the team.

Pineda, who was originally hired to teach Spanish in April for the upcoming school year, said he supports the students and the school in all activities.

“I’ll do whatever the school needs,” Pineda said. “Kids look forward to seeing coaches showing up at their events. In all the years I’ve taught, I always make it a point to show up at various events. I feel that helps make a stronger bond in the classroom.”

PINEDA

Pineda, 39, is getting back into soccer for the first time since Hurricane Katrina when he was the head coach at St. Augustine from 2004-2005, and worked with the kickers in football. His football duties will continue with PJP, as he will help coach the wide receivers.

Following the storm, Pineda worked with the Red Cross as part of the hurricane recovery before getting into construction where he has worked for the last year. During the past two-and-a-half years, Pineda has also been teaching Conversational Spanish at the University of New Orleans Metropolitan College at the Causeway Boulevard location.

Pineda said he can’t wait to get back into the sport he enjoys.

“I love soccer, coaching and the game,” he said. “I eat, sleep and breathe soccer. I research it, read it and get automatic e-mails on it. It’s my life. Unfortunately my body can’t handle playing, but I’m glad to be back in it.”

Pineda will be taking over a Division III program that made it to the regional round of the state playoffs last season before dropping a 3-2 overtime contest to E.D. White. Pineda said he wants to help the team continue from last year.

“I’m just looking forward to having a great year and picking up where the program left off. They told me last year was productive,” Pineda said.

Pope John Paul II principal Richard Berkowitz said he is happy with the hire.

“We feel we got a good person and we feel he’ll do a good job for us,” Berkowitz said. “His background impressed us in the things he’s done. It looked like a natural fit.”

Berkowitz added that he wanted to thank Gordon for his service with the girls’ soccer team. Pineda will be getting married to Stephanie Regan, who also lives in New Orleans, in December.