Cal State Bakersfield names Whitney Pitalo from Boston College as new head coach

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Cal State Bakersfield Director of Athletics Kyle Conder announced the hiring of Whitney Pitalo as the new head coach of the Roadrunner women’s soccer program.

Pitalo brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to CSUB, having excelled at multiple collegiate levels. Most recently, she served as the First Assistant Coach at Boston College, helping guide the Eagles to a 12-5-2 record and the program’s best Atlantic Coast Conference finish since 2018. Prior to her time at Boston College, Pitalo was part of the West Coast Conference Champion staff at Gonzaga University, which earned West Region Staff of the Year honors in 2023.

A former standout student-athlete herself, Pitalo played collegiately at the University of Southern California, where she served as team captain from 2014 to 2016 and was named PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Week in 2014.

“We are very excited about Whitney Pitalo leading CSUB Women’s Soccer,” Conder said. “She is committed to our mission of CSUB Athletics’ pillars: Academic Excellence, an Outstanding Student-Athlete Experience, Competitive Success, and Community Engagement. With her leadership, we will realize our vision of Pursuing Championships and Graduating Leaders. Her coaching experience at all levels of college soccer, and her achievements as a student-athlete, make Coach Pitalo uniquely positioned to keep our program rising in The Big West.”

Pitalo expressed her excitement about joining the Roadrunner family and leading the women’s soccer program.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as the next leader of CSUB Women’s Soccer,” Pitalo said. “I want to thank Kyle Conder and Sarah Tuohy for their belief in me and for the opportunity to lead this exceptional group of young women. I look forward to building upon the program’s recent success and working alongside a dedicated staff, faculty, and administration to create a memorable student-athlete experience. This group knows how to grind, and I’m excited to get to work! Go `Runners!”

Pitalo also brings head coaching experience from Corban University, where she led the Warriors to a record-setting defensive season in 2022, and West Salem High School, where she was named OSAA 6A Coach of the Year after guiding the team to a state semifinal appearance.

Pitalo holds a U.S. Soccer C License and is currently pursuing her B License, expected in 2025. She earned her MBA from Willamette University and holds a bachelor’s degree in NGOs and Social Change with a minor in Social Entrepreneurship from USC.

CSUB women’s soccer will open its 2025 campaign this fall under Pitalo’s leadership as the `Runners aim to make another Big West championship run.