Golden Eagles Name Tina Fernandes As New Coach

8/23/2013 5:03:00 PM
LOS ANGELES – Tina Fernandes, who has been an assistant coach at USC for the past 14 seasons, has been named the new head coach for the men’s and women’s track and field and women’s cross country programs at Cal State L.A., Director of Athletics Dan Bridges announced on Friday.

Fernandes was the women’s sprints assistant coach at USC and guided a sprint team that has been regarded as one of the best in the NCAA Division I over the past several years. Fernandes was also Olympic coach and team leader representing Puerto Rico at the 2012 London Games and 2008 Beijing Games.

During her 14 seasons at USC, she coached 11 NCAA individual national champions, 67 Division I All-Americans and 56 conference champions. She was also recognized by USC with one of 12 Remarkable Women Awards in 2011. Those awards honored accomplishments and contributions to campus life by faculty, staff or students.

“Tina is an experienced, highly-skilled and very well-respected track and field coach,” Bridges said. “I am confident in her ability to lead our programs to exceptional levels of academic and competitive success in the years to come.”

Fernandes was named a West Region Assistant Sprints/Hurdles Coach of the Year twice by the United States Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association and she was also chosen by the U.S. Olympic Committee for its Mentoring Women in Sports program in 2006.

Among the runners Fernandes coached at USC was Angela Williams, who won an unprecedented four consecutive NCAA 100-meter titles and also captured the prestigious Honda/Broderick Cup as the nation’s top female collegiate athlete in 2002.

Fernandes was on the staff of legendary track and field coach Ron Allice.

In 2013, USC’s 4x100 relay team earned All-America honors and in 2012 the 4x100 relay team received All-America honors and four different athletes scored at the Pac-12 Championships. In 2011, USC sprinters excelled with two All-American performances in the 200 meters and another in the 4x100 relay with the fourth-fastest time in program history. In addition, the sprinters took home a pair of conference championships.


“I’m excited and honored that President (James M.) Rosser, Athletics Director Bridges and the search committee have entrusted me to lead the CSULA men’s and women’s track and field and women’s cross country programs,” Fernandes said. “I’m also extremely grateful for the support of my family and the mentors who have helped prepare me for this opportunity and look forward to realizing tremendous success with the Golden Eagles programs.”

A talented sprinter in college, Fernandes competed at Long Beach City College and Fresno State. She earned a Master’s Degree in Education and a teaching credential in Physical Education.

Cal State L.A.’s cross country team will open its season on Friday, Sept. 6 at the UC San Diego Season Opener.