Randy Ziraldo was an assistant coach at Cal

Position: Assistant Coach Experience: 12th Year at Cal

Randy Ziraldo is in his 12th season as an assistant coach at Cal, where he oversees the throws. Ziraldo accepted his current position after serving in the same capacity for four years at Amador Valley High School in Pleasanton.Ziraldo is a 25-year veteran of the coaching ranks, having begun his career in 1977 at Battle Creek (Mich.) Central High School. He coached at East Lansing (Mich.) High School from 1980-82, at Lawrence (Ind.) North High School from 1985-86 and at Southport (Ind.) High School before moving to California.While at Cal, he has coached a number of outstanding athletes, including All-Americans John Wirtz (discus), Damien Luper (hammer) and Travis Nutter (three times-hammer). In 1999, Kristin Heaston earned All-America recognition in the shot put and set the school record in the event under Ziraldo's guidance. He also tutored NCAA shot put qualifiers Missy Maloata and Annette Kailihiwa (also discus). One of his top current pupils is Jennifer Joyce, a 2000 All-American in the hammer and three-time NCAA qualifier in that discipline, along with being the three-time Canadian junior champion.A Level 1 instructor certified by the U.S. Weightlifting Federation in the Olympic-style lifts, Ziraldo is a member of the National Strength Coaches Association and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist.He received a bachelor's degree in business administration from the Northwood Institute in Midland, Mich., in 1974 and a bachelor's in physical education from Michigan State in 1977. Ziraldo lives in Vallejo and has two sons, A.J. and Vince.