With a joyful mood, slight smile and confident posture, Benjamin Jordon gazes outward towards a cluster of players while standing on the fresh grass in front of the benches. He gestures gently yet firmly at empty spaces on the field while giving his athletes advice during the game. Jordon has been coaching the team to not only improve their techniques, but also foster a sense of teamwork, ever since his first practice as the new head boys’ soccer coach on Feb. 8. 

His newest job completes his busy schedule as a full-duty soccer coach. Five days a week, Jordon can be found coaching on fields of Westcliff College in mornings and at community parks as a youth soccer coach in the evenings after afternoon practices at Portola High.

Born and raised in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jordon moved to the United States to pursue a two-year soccer career at Meridian Community College in Mississippi. However, while he was contemplating a career path that would be more long-term, he began his first steps into coaching by working with 6 to 8-year-olds and worked his way up varying age groups.

“[Soccer] was the first sport that I ever played,” Jordon said. “It was the country’s most prominent sport, so we played it every minute we possibly could. If we couldn’t play on the grass, we played on the basketball court. If we couldn’t play on the basketball court, we played on the volleyball court.”

Jordon moved to California in December 2017, initially for a different purpose of working in an educational business, but eventually he settled on working in the soccer industry. 

“I have no idea why I love the sport so much,” Jordon said. “I think I’ve just been so immersed in it, that it’s probably been like the one constant in my life. So it’s always been kind of like an escape.”

He also pursues videography as a hobby three or four times a week, which built off his interests in film during his high school years when he stood in front of the camera as a drama student. He combines his passions for soccer and videography, often getting his inspiration from YouTube. 

“When I do anything that is soccer related, I always try to record it,” Jordon said. “So then I can go into what’s called I believe it’s a final cut, and just kind of test out different ways to make that particular session kind of upbeat and energetic.”

Jordon said he also loves spending time with his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter and wife off-campus, and his family-oriented traits transfer onto the field as he guides his athletes.

“Coach Benjamin, he’s helped us be more serious about the sport and fight for something and want to win,” co-captain and senior Sam Al Qaraghuli said. “Back then, we just, everyone wanted to do their own thing. It was like an individual sport last year. This year, it’s been like more as a team.”