Northwest Nazarene University is pleased to announce Roberto Hernandez as the next Assistant Coach for its women's soccer program. Hernandez brings a dynamic blend of collegiate, club, and professional development experience that positions him to make an immediate impact alongside Head Coach Jaggard.
Hernandez joins NNU after spending the previous two seasons with Fresno Pacific University Women's Soccer, where he helped orchestrate a significant turnaround. Taking over a squad that finished 2-13-2 in 2023, Hernandez helped guide the program to a 4-8-4 mark in 2024, with visible growth in competitiveness, confidence, and consistency.
Highlights from his time at FPU include:
- Set a new single-season school record with seven clean sheets.
- Most notably, in Hernandez first year, the team's defense saw a significant improvement allowing just 17 goals all season compared to the prior season's 49
- The defense surrendered fewer shots, scoring chances, and corner kicks.
- The squad held opponents scoreless for more than 400 consecutive minutes during one stretch.
- Fresno Pacific earned a statement victory over nationally recognized Concordia University Irvine, resulting in PacWest Team of the Week honors.
- The program celebrated its first Senior Night victory in more than five years.
"We are extremely excited to have Roberto join our program! He brings a wealth of coaching and recruiting experience at the collegiate level and has a reputation as a man of faith and integrity, making him an excellent fit for NNU," states coach Jaggard.
A Bakersfield native, Hernandez has built an extensive coaching résumé across multiple levels of the game.
Before his time at Fresno Pacific, he served as an assistant men's soccer coach at Biola University, and Cal Poly Pomona, and as a women's assistant soccer coach at NAIA programs San Diego Christian College and Westcliff University.
As an assistant at Cal Poly Pomona, Hernandez helped lead the Broncos to a CCAA tournament championship and an NCAA Division II West Region berth in 2019.
At the club level, he has served as a director for programs such as Santa Monica United (now Albion Santa Monica), Albion Central Cal and Steel United Conejo Valley, and coached for Laguna United FC. He also served as goalkeeper coach for the LAFC (MLS) Youth Academy, helping develop players who advanced to collegiate, professional, and national team levels.
He has also coached in the semi-professional ranks with SoCal Reds (WPSL) and Santa Monica United (UPSL) guiding both programs to undefeated championships.
A goalkeeper during his playing days, Hernandez competed collegiately at CSU Monterey Bay, Fresno City College, and the University of Antelope Valley. Following college, he played at various competitive levels nationwide, earning a call-up to the U20 Guatemala National Team and the U.S. Men's Beach Soccer National Team.
Hernandez holds a bachelor's degree from CSU Bakersfield and a master's degree in Coaching & Athletic Administration from Concordia University-Irvine. He also possesses a U.S. Soccer Federation "B" Coaching License, reflecting his strong technical foundation and commitment to professional development.
With a demonstrated ability to strengthen defensive organization, cultivate belief, and drive measurable improvement, Roberto Hernandez brings energy, experience, and a championship mindset to Northwest Nazarene University. His leadership and proven track record of program growth make him a valuable addition as the Nighthawks continue building toward sustained success.
