The Official Website of the Norco College Mustangs

Coach Ricardo Perez Etheridge, nicknamed Ricky after his grandmother’s favorite TV show “I Love Lucy” is a proud born-again Christian and was born in Brooklyn, NY. He comes from a family with a military background and was able to travel to new places every three years. Some of the highlighted places he lived in were Hawaii, Munich, Germany, Fairfield, PA, and Barstow, CA where he graduated from high school. His favorite hobbies include: playing in Domino tournaments, basketball, spending time at the beach, going to the movies, eating at different restaurants, spending quality time with his wife, Celeste whom he has been happily married to for 13 years! He met his wife at church and he says how she is such a blessing in his life and one of the best things that has ever happened to him. Coach Etheridge went to San Bernardino Valley College for two years after high school and then attended Cal Baptist University on a full ride scholarship and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2001. In 2019 he went back to obtain his Master’s degree in Coaching and Exercise Science and completed it in less than a year with straight A’s which is an accomplishment Coach Ethridge is very proud of! 

Growing up, Coach Etheridge had a strong conviction for competition. Basketball, football, baseball, soccer, track, and cross country, which is what he continued to pursue. Running was a natural gift for him and he did not have this realization until he was in high school. His affiliations with Norco started in Corona as he has been the Santiago High School Head Cross Country Coach for the past eight years. Coach Etheridge arrived at Norco College in September of 2021. He first started as the assistant coach for both programs, but had the opportunity to fill the Women’ head coach position quickly after that. Before his time at Norco College, and currently, he is a transportation Deputy with LA County Probation but he is looking for a full time role at Norco. The hunger for competition in playing sports is what also drew Coach Etheridge to begin his coaching journey. At first the focus was on competing, however, it grew into an added focus in being a part of kids' improvement in running and also in life which has been both an enjoyable and rewarding part of his career. To quote Coach Etheridge, “as a coach the greatest achievements come when my athletes run new personal records”. His coaching philosophy is more about creating an environment and a culture that his school and community can be proud of. To train, coach, and teach young people to become better in every way possible and not just focused on running is a great feeling. Coach Etheridge’s favorite quote is from Eric Thomas “Everybody wants to be a beast until it’s time to do what real beast’s do”. Coach Etheridge also says that it’s important for him as a coach to be a transformational coach who cares about the athletes more then the wins. He also wants to be the type of coach who helps build character and teach life skills that will help them even after they graduate and leave Norco College and move on with their lives.