Shadow Add GU Assistant James Garces to Staff

Monday, April 28, 2025

The Spokane Shadow are excited to announce the addition of James Garces to the club’s staff. Garces, an assistant with the Gonzaga men’s program, came to Spokane this past year with extensive collegiate and elite youth level experience.

“James’ background at the highest levels of the game in the Division I level and the MLS Next level will elevate our club’s performance and provide invaluable insights, inspiring both growth and excellence within our staff and players alike,” said DPL Director Bryan Hernandez.

Though Garces has only been with Gonzaga since his hiring in January, he brings a wealth of collegiate experience with him as the former assistant at Grand Canyon and associate head coach of CSU Bakersfield. He came to Gonzaga following a few years with Real Salt Lake’s MLS Next Academy where he was the U16 Academy Coach since 2023.

Garces quickly went into coaching following his successful playing career at CSUB, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and a master’s degree in public administration. Garces played all four years as a defender for the Roadrunners and was instrumental to the program’s first ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2011.

He then spent seven seasons on the CSUB coaching staff as an assistant coach before earning the title of associate head coach for his eighth (2015-21).

He then moved onto the successful DI men’s program Grand Canyon in 2022. He helped guide the team to a 7-8-3 record with a 2-0-1 showing against nationally ranked teams, including a win against fourth-ranked UCLA on the road.

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