Staff Directory
Tony Arnesen
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
Tony Arnesen began his role as the assistant women’s soccer coach for the Banana Slugs in March of 2026. Tony Arnesen is an experienced coach and program-builder with a track record of developing talent, elevating competitive standards, and building strong team cultures He brings a well-rounded coaching background and a reputation for strengthening programs at the collegiate, club, and high school levels.
“We’re excited to welcome Tony to UC Santa Cruz. He brings a well-rounded coaching background, strong experience in player development, and a proven ability to strengthen programs. We’re not a team searching for an identity. We already have one, and Tony will be a tremendous asset as we continue to raise our standards, elevate our level, and strengthen a culture rooted in accountability, growth, support, and excellence.” – Head coach Lauren Nadler
Before joining UC Santa Cruz, Arnesen spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the women’s soccer program at Oglethorpe University, where he helped elevate a program that had historically struggled in conference play. During his time there, the team saw significant growth in roster size and talent level, improved its GPA each year, and built a positive, competitive culture rooted in accountability and camaraderie. In 2025, Oglethorpe set multiple program records, posted its best winning percentage in 30 years, and achieved the highest Southern Athletic Association finish in program history.
A San Diego native, Arnesen also built an extensive coaching résumé in Southern California. He spent 11 years coaching at the ECNL and ECRL levels with DMCV Sharks. At the Sharks he also served as Girls College Director.
From 2019 to 2023, Arnesen was the head women’s soccer coach at San Diego City College. During his tenure, he led the program to its first state playoff appearance and set program records for overall wins, conference wins, win percentage, goals scored, and longest winning streak. During that same period, he also served as head varsity girls soccer coach at San Pasqual High School, leading the team to a CIF San Diego Section championship and a state semifinal appearance.
Arnesen earned his bachelor’s degree from Chico State and his master’s degree in kinesiology from California Baptist University. He holds a USSF National “C” License, Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, and Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Certification.
“We’re excited to welcome Tony to UC Santa Cruz. He brings a well-rounded coaching background, strong experience in player development, and a proven ability to strengthen programs. We’re not a team searching for an identity. We already have one, and Tony will be a tremendous asset as we continue to raise our standards, elevate our level, and strengthen a culture rooted in accountability, growth, support, and excellence.” – Head coach Lauren Nadler
Before joining UC Santa Cruz, Arnesen spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the women’s soccer program at Oglethorpe University, where he helped elevate a program that had historically struggled in conference play. During his time there, the team saw significant growth in roster size and talent level, improved its GPA each year, and built a positive, competitive culture rooted in accountability and camaraderie. In 2025, Oglethorpe set multiple program records, posted its best winning percentage in 30 years, and achieved the highest Southern Athletic Association finish in program history.
A San Diego native, Arnesen also built an extensive coaching résumé in Southern California. He spent 11 years coaching at the ECNL and ECRL levels with DMCV Sharks. At the Sharks he also served as Girls College Director.
From 2019 to 2023, Arnesen was the head women’s soccer coach at San Diego City College. During his tenure, he led the program to its first state playoff appearance and set program records for overall wins, conference wins, win percentage, goals scored, and longest winning streak. During that same period, he also served as head varsity girls soccer coach at San Pasqual High School, leading the team to a CIF San Diego Section championship and a state semifinal appearance.
Arnesen earned his bachelor’s degree from Chico State and his master’s degree in kinesiology from California Baptist University. He holds a USSF National “C” License, Coerver Coaching Youth Diploma, and Positive Coaching Alliance Double-Goal Coach Certification.
