SAN JOSE, Calif. - The San José State Men's Soccer Team announces the addition of two assistant coaches, David Sweeney and Jota Yamaguchi, who will join the team ahead of the 2026 season.
"We are excited about the addition of our two new assistant coaches," said Head Coach Simon Tobin. "David Sweeney was an outstanding keeper at SJSU and I’ve always targeted him as a potential top goalie coach. Jota is a former UCSD player who will add youthful energy and insight to our staff. I expect both young men to develop into successful coaches at SJSU and enjoy brilliant careers coaching ‘the beautiful game.’"
David Sweeney, Assistant Coach
Sweeney returns to San José State following one of the most decorated goalkeeping careers in program history. A Spartan from 2019–2023, he earned WAC Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2023 and was named to the All-WAC Preseason Team that same year. He also garnered All-WAC Second Team honors in 2022, Honorable Mention All-WAC recognition in 2020-21, and was named to the WAC All-Freshman Team in 2019. Across his career, Sweeney was a five-time WAC Defensive Player of the Week, a four-time Academic All-WAC honoree, and a 2023 CSC Academic All-District selection.
Sweeney left San José State as the program’s all-time leader in saves (281) and shutouts (20), cementing his legacy as one of the top goalkeepers in school history.
Following his collegiate career, Sweeney played professionally within the San Jose Earthquakes organization for The Town FC, where he appeared in nine matches and was named MLS NEXT Pro Goalkeeper of the Month.
In addition to his playing career, Sweeney has built an extensive coaching resume centered around goalkeeper development. He operated a private coaching business and has trained goalkeepers at several respected clubs, including Los Gatos United, All-Stars United and Central Valley San Jose.
At the high school level, Sweeney served on the varsity coaching staff at Saint Francis High School during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons, working with goalkeepers across all levels. During the 2023–2024 campaign, Saint Francis achieved a program-record 22-2-2 season, advancing to both the CIF NorCal and CCS Finals while recording 13 shutouts.
Most recently, Sweeney joined the Bellarmine College Preparatory soccer program for the 2025–2026 season as a member of the junior varsity coaching staff, continuing his work developing goalkeepers throughout the program.
Jota Yamaguchi, Assistant Coach
Yamaguchi, a San José native, brings a unique and modern coaching perspective shaped by both local and international experiences. He developed his game playing at Archbishop Mitty High School (Class of 2018), as well as for top local programs including the San Jose Earthquakes Academy, Santa Clara Sporting, and Legends Futsal.
He went on to play collegiately at UC San Diego, where he studied cognitive science. His coaching journey began with the UC San Diego soccer team, where he developed a style of soccer deemed “Jota Ball” that would lead his team in being undefeated during the spring season and able to advance to the playoffs.
Yamaguchi later moved to Washington, D.C., where he coached within the Juventus Academy DC Metro. Yamaguchi now returns to San Jose to join the Spartans and will serve as the Director of Futsal for De Anza Force.
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