The Galaxy's MLS Cup victory gives Coach Steve Sampson a championship during his first full season as coach of a pro club. Sampson, the USA's coach at the 1998 World Cup, replaced Sigi Schmid late last season.
Sampson guided Santa Clara to the 1989 Division I NCAA title, which the Broncos' shared with the University of Virginia, coached by Bruce Arena, who won two MLS titles with D.C. United after five titles with Virginia.
Schmid, who guided the Galaxy to the 2002 MLS title, won three NCAA titles at UCLA. That means all three coaches who entered MLS with NCAA Division I titles under their belts also succeeded in lifting the pro crown.
The late Tom Fitzgerald won an NCAA Division I title with UCLA after his stint at the helm of the Columbus Crew, which has not won an MLS title.