POMONA – Cal Poly Pomona head women's soccer coach Jay Mason has announced the promotion of Dan Richards to assistant coach for the upcoming 2019 season.

Richards has been a program associate for the Broncos for the past four seasons all while serving as the head varsity boys soccer coach and program director at Laguna Beach High School since 2010. 

"We are very excited to have Dan join us full time here at CPP," Mason said. "He is the ultimate professional in all that he does and brings a wealth of soccer knowledge and experience to the program. Having someone of Dan's character and integrity will only serve to enrich our student-athlete experience and push the program forward."

"I am delighted and honored to join the Cal Poly Pomona's women's soccer program on a full time bases and having the opportunity to be part of such a prestigious university," said Richards. "I would like to thank Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Brian Swanson, Senior Associate Athletics Director Stephanie Duke, Women's Soccer Head Coach Jay Mason and the search committee for appointing me to this position. I am eager to make a positive contribution to the program and department as a whole as we enter into the new year. I look forward to working with all the talented student athletes and coaches at CPP in this great community."
 
Hailing from London, England, Richards earned a bachelor degree with honors in 2005 from the University of Wolverhampton in Sports Studies. After graduating from Wolverhampton, Richards moved to the United States and has continued to progress though the youth coaching ranks to produce and develop elite level soccer players.

Richards is an established figure in the youth club soccer world, currently working for the nationally recognized Pateadores program as part of the USSDA (United States Soccer Development Academy) on the girls' side. He is continually working with high level players and attending some of the most prestigious tournaments and showcases in the country.

Richards holds national coaching licenses from various organizations and governing bodies including a US Soccer Federation A License, a Premier Diploma from the United Soccer Coaching organization (fka NSCAA), a National Goalkeeping Diploma, National Youth Diplomas from Coerver Coaching and a Director of Coaching Diploma from United Soccer Coaching.