Fresno State Athletics
Bolton hired as women's soccer head coach
12/24/2025 10:15:00 AM | Women's Soccer
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy named Gabriel Bolton the 5th head coach in women's soccer program history on Wednesday.
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"Gabe Bolton is a proven program builder with deep roots in the Central Valley and a track record of winning, developing student-athletes, and sustaining excellence over time," said Fresno State Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy. "He understands this region, he knows how to recruit and develop talent here, and he has shown throughout his career that success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community can—and should—go hand in hand. With his Division I experience, championship mindset, and passion for the Valley, Gabe is the right leader to guide our women's soccer program as we compete at the highest level and move into the Pac-12."
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Bolton comes to Fresno State from Stanislaus State, bringing a familiarity of the Valley to the Bulldogs' program. He is the most successful coach in Stanislaus State women's soccer history with a 223-123-48 record in 21 seasons at the helm. In 2025, the Warriors finished with a 11-5-4 overall record.
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In his 21 seasons as head coach, he had just one losing season that saw a 7-11-2 record in his first season of his second stint (2006). Bolton led the Warriors for a brief season in 2001, and led a single-season turnaround that was ranked the fourth-most improved program in the NCAA. He left in 2002 to serve as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Utah (2002-04).
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Bolton guided the Warriors to eleven postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournaments and 12 California Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournaments. He led the program to an unprecedented seven consecutive post-season appearances from 2010-16, including two CCAA Tournament titles and the 2014 NCAA West Region Championship.
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Bolton was the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) West Region Coach of the Year and 2013 CCAA Coach of the Year. Bolton has coached Warrior student-athletes to over 70 All-CCAA awards, including more than 20 first team honors.
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Bolton's programs pride themselves in competitive excellence, academic achievement, and deep community impact.
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He has additional coaching experience with Utah, San Ramon FC and Sierra College. He and his wife Kathy Koumjian Bolton have three children: Sophia and twins Brynne and Ben.
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"Gabe Bolton is a proven program builder with deep roots in the Central Valley and a track record of winning, developing student-athletes, and sustaining excellence over time," said Fresno State Director of Athletics Garrett Klassy. "He understands this region, he knows how to recruit and develop talent here, and he has shown throughout his career that success on the field, in the classroom, and in the community can—and should—go hand in hand. With his Division I experience, championship mindset, and passion for the Valley, Gabe is the right leader to guide our women's soccer program as we compete at the highest level and move into the Pac-12."
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Bolton comes to Fresno State from Stanislaus State, bringing a familiarity of the Valley to the Bulldogs' program. He is the most successful coach in Stanislaus State women's soccer history with a 223-123-48 record in 21 seasons at the helm. In 2025, the Warriors finished with a 11-5-4 overall record.
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In his 21 seasons as head coach, he had just one losing season that saw a 7-11-2 record in his first season of his second stint (2006). Bolton led the Warriors for a brief season in 2001, and led a single-season turnaround that was ranked the fourth-most improved program in the NCAA. He left in 2002 to serve as the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at Utah (2002-04).
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Bolton guided the Warriors to eleven postseason appearances, including four NCAA Tournaments and 12 California Collegiate Athletic Association championship tournaments. He led the program to an unprecedented seven consecutive post-season appearances from 2010-16, including two CCAA Tournament titles and the 2014 NCAA West Region Championship.
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Bolton was the 2013 National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) West Region Coach of the Year and 2013 CCAA Coach of the Year. Bolton has coached Warrior student-athletes to over 70 All-CCAA awards, including more than 20 first team honors.
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Bolton's programs pride themselves in competitive excellence, academic achievement, and deep community impact.
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He has additional coaching experience with Utah, San Ramon FC and Sierra College. He and his wife Kathy Koumjian Bolton have three children: Sophia and twins Brynne and Ben.
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