March 9, 2009

Fullerton, Calif. - Diego Bocanegra, head coach the past two seasons at Cal State San Bernardino, has been hired as an assistant to Cal State Fullerton head women's soccer Coach Demian Brown.

"I feel very fortunate to be able to add a coach of Diego's caliber to our program," Brown said. "His knowledge and enthusiasm will provide a terrific spark to the team and his experience as a head coach will allow him to transition smoothly into our program and help us to achieve our goal of winning more Big West Championships."

Bocanegra compiled a record of 18-13-9 with the Coyotes and developed three All-California Collegiate Athletic Association players in 2007 and four in 2008. He previously served two years as an assistant to Coach Noah Kooiman, a former Titan player, for both the Coyotes' men's and women's teams. Bocanegra previously was an assistant for the men's team at UC Riverside for three seasons and he served one year with the men's team at Pomona-Pitzer.

"I am excited to be working in a program with such a rich soccer tradition," Bocanegra said. "I hope to add my experience to an already great coaching staff and look forward to working with an eager group of young women."

An extensive background in club soccer also fills Bocanegra's resume. The Alta Loma resident coached the Alta Loma Arsenal Girls and Boys teams in various age categories for many years and later became an assistant and then the head girls' coach at Alta Loma High School, his alma mater. Bocanegra's playing career included several stops -- the Alta Loma Arsenal, Alta Loma High School, the Olympic Development program, Grand Canyon University in Arizona, UCLA and finally 1997 at Fresno State, where he earned a bachelors degree in liberal studies.

Diego's younger brother, Carlos, is a member of the U. S. National Men's Soccer Team after enjoying an All-American career at UCLA.

Bocanegra replaces Scott Alexander, who resigned at the end of the 2008 season.