Bio

Coach Dan Desmond was named as the 8th head coach of the FC women's basketball program just after the 2022 season ended. 

Previously, Coach Desmond worked as an assistant coach for the past seven seasons under previous head coach Marcia Foster. He helped lead the Hornets to an 18-win season in 2019 and hopes to build upon the team's growth for many seasons.

Growing up in Northern California, Desmond moved down south to attend Cal State Fullerton where he completed both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Kinesiology. During his studies, he worked as the video coordinator and graduate assistant with the women’s basketball program. Although he stopped playing competitive basketball when he went to college; instead playing the non-traditional sport of ultimate frisbee for the university where he was a 3-time captain and 2-time All-Region nominee, he never lost his love for the game.

In his studies at Cal State Fullerton, Desmond specialized in Sport Psychology & Performance Enhancement and brings his love of the pursuit of human excellence to the program. Desmond strongly believes in training the complete athlete and highlights the psychological component of performance as he serves in the role of mental skills coach for the team.

Recently married, Dan and his wife Kelsey, a wellness director, share the love of ultimate frisbee and competition.