RANDY DEDINI NAMED SACRAMENTO STATE HEAD WOMEN’S SOCCER COACH

2/2/2007

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Randy Dedini was named head coach of the Sacramento State women’s soccer program, it was announced today by Director of Athletics Dr. Terry Wanless.

“I am very excited to add Randy to our head coaching staff,” Wanless said. “I am confident he will continue the upward progress that has been initiated by our women’s soccer program.”

Dedini has spent three years as an assistant with the women’s soccer program, overseeing the team’s ascension into the top of the Big Sky standings. During the fall of 2006, the women’s program reached the Big Sky Tournament championship game for the first time in program history. The team’s 10-7-4 record was also a program-best.

Each of the last two seasons, the Hornets improved their record from the year before as Dedini helped Sacramento State develop its tactics and formation on the field.

Dedini began in 2004 with the Hornets, serving as the goalkeeper coach. During that year, freshman keeper Brittany Auernig was named Rookie of the Year after making eight starts and 59 saves.

In 2005, Dedini made the move to top assistant. The Hornets’ recruiting efforts and change in their philosophy of play paid off the with a program-best second place finish in the conference standings and an 8-8-3 overall record. The team also advanced to Big Sky Tournament for the first time since 2001. Dedini’s offensive approach meshed well with a young group of skilled players.

In 2006, once again, a highly-touted recruiting class made major contributions during the year. The program’s 30 goals during the season were fueled by Dedini’s aggressive offensive approach and the ability of the newcomers to contribute immediately. Sacramento State also outshot its opponents 172-106.

As well as establishing a commitment to excellence on the field, the program has also stressed the importance of academics. Currently 16 players on the roster have gpa’s over 3.0, and over the past three seasons, 20 players have been named to the Big Sky All-Academic team.

In addition to assisting in all aspects of the women’s soccer program, Dedini was director of the women’s soccer summer camps the last two years.

Before coming to Sacramento State, Dedini spent five seasons as the assistant coach of the men’s varsity soccer team for Quaker Valley High School in Pittsburgh, Pa. In 2002, the team won the state championship.

Dedini also spent five years playing with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds of the A-League, winning awards such as team MVP, Iron Man and the century award for breaking the 100-cap mark.

He began his 11-year professional career after playing two years at Sonoma State as the starting goalkeeper and graduating with a B.S. in kinesiology. In 1993, he was an All-American, and in 1992 and 1993, he received all-conference honors.

Dedini is a Northern California native, graduating from Vacaville High School in 1988 and playing for two seasons at American River Junior College. He is married with two daughters, Jordyn and Jaycie and son, Jake.