The long-time assistant coach gets promoted to the top position for the 2026-2027 season

For the second straight year the John Burroughs Bears Boys Soccer Program will enter the new season with a new head coach. George Flores, who most recently spent last season as the program’s head junior varsity coach, will take over for Mark Martinez. 

Martinez stepped down from the position following the 2025-2026 season to spend more time with his family. Flores has been associated with Burroughs boys soccer for five seasons and has worked under two head coaches during that span before being promoted to the head coaching position. Flores has served with Makan Afzalli and Martinez during his time as an assistant coach.

John Burroughs High School principal Kenny Knoop issued the following statement regarding the promotion of George Flores as Head Coach of the Burroughs High School boys soccer program:

 “We are excited to announce our new boys varsity head soccer coach, George Flores. Coach Flores has been with the boys soccer program here at JBHS for 4 years as the head JV coach. He brings a plethora of experience, as he has been around the game for 20 years. Not only does he coach for JBHS, he also coaches for Athletic Soccer Club here in Burbank. Coach Flores has stated that he is excited for the opportunity and to continue building the culture that has been established at JBHS. Welcome to the Bears family, Coach!

The Coaching Staff under George Flores will feature assistants Ara Berberian (Head Junior Varsity Coach) and Bilal Dahduli (Assistant Varsity Coach). Berberian will replace Flores as the program’s head JV coach. Under Flores, the players to be on lookout for the 2026-2027 season will be senior goalkeeper Jacob Saldana, junior striker Justin Trigo, and sophomore forward Mateo Lopez. 

“I can’t wait to be the head coach of the Burroughs High School boys soccer program.”  said the newly promoted Bears Boys soccer coach. “This opportunity finally came to fruition which I did not know when at first but I’m ready to get going. Flores also added that not only he’s excited to be the varsity head coach but also to be the head coach of the entire program. 

The Burroughs Boys Soccer team will spend the entire summer and the start of the 2026-2027 school year training for the upcoming season that will start sometime in November.