Diego Bocanegra returns to the sidelines of Titan Stadium forhis sixth season on head coach Demian Brown's staff, and his secondas the program's associate head coach after being elevated to thespot in February, 2013.
“I am very happy to announce the promotion of Diego toAssociate Head Coach of the Cal State Fullerton women's soccerprogram,” Brown said. “This is well-deserved for hisdedication, work ethic, and overall commitment to the success ofour program. I look forward to our work together in the comingseasons and feel confident that the program will continue toachieve our highest goals.”
Hired to his position in March of 2009 following a successfultwo-year run as head coach at NCAA Division II Cal State SanBernardino, Bocanegra was lauded nationally in 2012, named theNSCAA Far West Regional Assistant Coach of the Year.
In five years with the Titans (2009-13), Fullerton has totaled arecord of 39-45-16, while the squad has posted three consecutivewinning seasons in 2011 (9-8-3), 2012 (10-9-1) and 2013(8-7-7).
During the past five years, Fullerton has won one Big Westregular season title (2012), one Big West Tournament championship(2013) and made one NCAA Tournament appearance (2013). In addition,four Titans have received five all-NSCAA all-region honors whileErica Mazeau was named Big West Midfielder of the Year in 2013.
In five seasons, 16 Titan players have received a total of 21all-Big West honors (first, second, honorable mention,freshman).
Bocanegra complied a combined record of 18-13-9 with the Coyotesin two seasons, helping guide three players to All-CaliforniaCollegiate Athletic Association honors in 2007 and four in 2008when they finished 10-5-5 overall and 7-4-3 in conference play,just narrowly missing out on a postseason berth. He previouslyserved two years as an assistant for Coach Noah Kooiman, a formerTitan player, for both the men's and women's squads at CSUSB, andwas an assistant coach for the men's team at UC Riverside for threeseasons.
Prior to Bocanegra's arrival, Cal State San Bernardino had posteda 14-37-6 overall record and a 9-30-5 mark in CCAA play from2004-06.
An extensive background in club soccer also fills Bocanegra'sresume. The Alta Loma resident coached the Alta Loma Arsenal Girlsand Boys teams in various age categories for many years and laterbecame an assistant and then the head girls' coach at Alta LomaHigh School, his alma mater. Bocanegra's playing career includedseveral stops -- the Alta Loma Arsenal, Alta Loma High School, theOlympic Development program, Grand Canyon University in Arizona,UCLA and finally 1997 at Fresno State, where he earned abachelor’s degree in liberal studies.
He currently coaches U18 girls squad for the Fullerton Rangerswhile also serving as the club's college advisor.
Bocanegra resides in Upland with his wife, Kellie, theirdaughter, Isabella, and their son, Luca. Diego's younger brother,Carlos, is a member of the U. S. National Men's Soccer Team afterenjoying an All-American career at UCLA.
