Coach Erl Cabanas joins the San Diego Mesa track & field coaching staff as a Throws Coach. Specializing in the javelin, Coach Cabanas brings to Mesa College 35 years of coaching experience along with a USATF Level 1 coaching certification and is recognized as a USATF Master-level official in the throws events.

Prior to joining the Mesa staff, Coach Cabanas coached at several San Diego-area high schools and colleges after moving from Hawai'i in 1978. After a career-ending injury, he mentored under his collegiate coach before coaching at the high school level. Under his guidance, Coach Cabanas advanced prep athletes to the San Diego CIF Section and California State championships. His prep club athletes have stood on the national podium numerous times since 1992. In 2003, he coached to the national podium three medalists including one believed to be the first USATF Junior Olympics National (regulation) Javelin Champion from San Diego. In 2004, Coach Cabanas again coached three prep javelin throwers to the national podium. In 2008, Cabanas coached a female San Diego-area javelin thrower to a national champion and a still-standing AAU national age-group record. A strong presence within the San Diego youth track club arena, Coach Cabanas has also coached disabled and masters athletes in the throwing events.

A former prep and collegiate athlete born & raised in Hawai'i, Coach Cabanas earned his B.A. in Human Development and master's degree in education from Azusa Pacific University.