BAKERSFIELD, Calif.- Head women's soccer coach Gary Curneen has announced the hiring of Clifton Bush as first assistant for the CSUB Roadrunners as the program begins preparing for the approaching 2015 season.
“I am ecstatic to have Clifton join our staff on a full-time basis. We had the pleasure of working with him last year and he is one of the best,” Curneen said. “He brings a lot of energy and experience to the program, along with an intense work ethic. His communication skills are phenomenal and will help us on the practice field, in the office, on the road, and in the locker room. I am confident that he will play a key role in helping this program reach new heights."
Bush, a Tehachapi, Calif., native, worked with the Roadrunners last season as a volunteer assistant and brings a long history of college, regional, and academy soccer coaching experience to the CSUB program in his new role where he will be the team's primary recruiter, work with goalkeepers and focus on implementing the team's model of play. After his volunteer duties with CSUB concluded, Bush joined the academy coaching staff for the NWSL Championship winning Portland Thorns. The Thorns Academy is one of only two girls programs in the country with a direct connection to a NWSL team.
“I am excited to rejoin CSU Bakersfield. I am honored to be a part of the Roadrunner soccer family and the culture of the athletic department as a whole,” Bush said. “Everyone has such a high commitment to compete at the highest level on the field and in the classroom. I am grateful to [interim athletics director] Ziggy Siegfried, [sports administrator] Cindy Goodman and head coach Gary Curneen for this opportunity. I am fortunate to be able to learn from them and the rest of the skilled coaches at CSUB.”
Prior to Bush joining the CSUB program last season, he was at Dominican University of California where he served as the top assistant during the 2013 season. Bush assisted with all aspects of the NCAA Division II program that received the NSCAA Academic Team Award.
Prior to joining the staff at Dominican, Bush served as head coach at Treasure Valley Community College in Ontario, Oregon in 2012, where he led the team to its first playoff berth in six years. In 2011, he was an assistant coach at the College of Idaho, where he oversaw both the men and women's goalkeepers.
Bush is in his second year as a staff coach for Region IV Olympic Development Program working with the girls 2000 and 2002 age groups. Bush also continues to coach as a member of the Oregon ODP/Portland Timbers & Thorns staff and was the goalkeeper director and technical staff coach for Idaho ODP. Bush holds a National “B” license through the United States Soccer Federation and a Level II Goalkeeper license from the NSCAA.
Bush talked about returning to the program that earned their first ever WAC tournament berth last season.
“I am so pleased with the foundation and future of each aspect of our program. Alumni involvement has grown, academic marks lead the department, interest in our program and recruiting strength has reached new heights, and a culture exists where the athletes express their desire to learn, improve, and excel.”
The former goalkeeper spent two seasons at Taft College ending his soccer career to pursue other career ventures, which included six years as a police detective in Caldwell, Idaho. His passion for the game brought him back to coaching, where he felt he had a more direct impact on youth. Bush was an All-Central California Area athlete as a goalkeeper at Tehachapi High School.
Bush earned his bachelor's degree in Organizational Leadership and Management from George Fox University (OR).
The CSUB Roadrunners open their season at home on Tuesday, August 18th with an exhibition match against Cal State San Bernardino at 7 P.M. They will officially open their season three days later at The Main Soccer Field hosting Humboldt State on Friday, August 21 at 7 P.M.
Season tickets are on sale now for $50.00 with combination packages including men's soccer games as well for $85.50. For more information visit GoRunners.com/tix or email tickets@csub.edu.
