Aulani Fernandez was named head women's soccer coach on December 6, 2022. She initially joined the program as an assistant women's soccer coach on June 1, 2022 and elevated to interim head women's soccer coach on July 1, 2022. Fernandez is the fifth head coach in program history and, while competing as a NCAA Division I Independent program in Fall 2022, she led the Cougars to the most wins in a single season in program history.Â
Fernandez came to Chicago’s South Side from nearby Valparaiso University, where she served as a Volunteer Assistant for the Spring 2022 season. Previously, Fernandez was an assistant coach at Stanislaus State University (2021). There, she helped lead the Warriors to an 8-6-4 record and was instrumental in the assembly of a 2022 recruiting class that included a member of the 2022 California Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAA) All-Tournament Team.
In October 2021, Fernandez was selected as a member of the United Soccer Coaches 30 Under 30 Program, a year-long education and mentorship opportunity for young coaches who are leading the way in developing soccer players and enhancing the game.
Fernandez entered the coaching ranks in 2019 as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Cal State East Bay, where she spent two seasons coaching (2019-21), following a four-year playing career (2015-18) for the Pioneers, appearing in 69 matches with 46 starts.
In addition to her collegiate coaching background, Fernandez brings club coaching experience with Mustang Soccer Club, Livermore Fusion and AJAX East Bay.
She holds her B.S. in Biology and resides in Crown Point, Indiana with her wife and dog.Â
