After more than a decade of coaching youth soccer and a lifetime spent immersed in sports, Lisa Nunes Mitchell is stepping into a new chapter as the head coach of the Los Gatos High School girls soccer team.
A Los Gatos alumna herself, Mitchell brings both personal ties and professional experience to the program, with a clear goal in mind: building a competitive, positive and unified team culture.
Mitchell, who coached youth soccer for 12 years before accepting the high school head coaching position, credits her love of the sport and her experiences with influential coaches throughout her life for inspiring her to step into the role.
“I had so many inspirational coaches growing up—from youth leagues to college and even professional influences,” Mitchell said. “I fell in love with the coaching aspect early on. I’ve been around sports my entire life, especially soccer, and I’ve always wanted to give back.”
Her athletic background speaks for itself. During her time at Los Gatos High School, Mitchell was a multi-sport athlete, participating in soccer, track and field, basketball, and softball.
But soccer was always her mainstay—the sport she felt most connected to and the one that shaped her future path.
Now, as she takes the reins at her alma mater, Mitchell is focused on fostering a team identity grounded in unity and resilience.
Her primary objective for the upcoming season is to develop a cohesive group capable of making a deep run in the Central Coast Section (CCS) playoffs.
“My biggest goal is to build a positive and competitive environment,” Mitchell explained. “I want all the girls to come together as one, to play together, to support each other. Every player has assets—we want to bring those together to create something greater than the sum of its parts. I want us to be one of the top teams competing to win CCS.”
For Mitchell, however, success is not only measured by wins and rankings. She places a strong emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of her athletes, especially given the unique pressures faced by high school student-athletes—particularly young women.
“Mental health is a big thing in our lives, and it often gets overlooked, especially in female athletes,” Mitchell said. “These girls aren’t just soccer players—they’re students, daughters, friends. There are so many factors outside of the sport that impact their performance and their lives. I want to be someone who understands that, who they can come to not just as a coach, but as a person.”
This athlete-centered approach is at the core of Mitchell’s coaching philosophy. She encourages open communication, honesty and trust within her team—elements she believes are essential to both individual and team success.
“Everyone has off days or bad days; being able to push through those—and be open and honest about what’s going on—is huge,” she said. “I want my players to feel like they can talk to me and I’ll be there for them.”
”I expect the best from these girls—effort, hard work, strong character, and a commitment to the team.’
—Lisa Mitchell, head coach
When it comes to expectations, Mitchell makes it clear that she holds her players to high standards—not only because of their potential, but because of the legacy of Los Gatos High School athletics.
“There’s a strong history here,” she said. “Los Gatos has had so many top athletes and soccer players come through this program. I expect the best from these girls—effort, hard work, strong character, and a commitment to the team. Giving 100% is the baseline.”
Mitchell knows that building a championship-caliber program won’t happen overnight. But she’s confident that with the right mindset and a strong foundation of trust, this team can achieve something special—not just on the field, but as individuals.
“I’m here to support them and push them. I want them to grow as players and as people,” she said. “This team has so much potential. I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish—together.”
With preseason preparations underway, the Los Gatos community is eager to see where Coach Lisa Nunes Mitchell will take the girls soccer program.
