TURLOCK — California State University, Stanislaus has named Ahmad Tousi, former coach of the Iranian National Team and assistant head coach at Fresno State, as its interim head coach for men's soccer.
Tousi will bring more than 28 years of coaching experience to the Cal State Stanislaus men's soccer program. Tousi takes over the position vacated by Eric Mild, who departed to join the UC Davis coaching staff.
“We are very pleased that Coach Tousi has accepted our offer to become our head men's soccer coach,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Milton E. Richards. “His experience and expertise will serve us well as we move into our new sports complex and take the men's soccer program to the next level of success.”
Tousi coached the Iranian national team in 1983 and coached in the Iranian Football Federation between 1978 to 1986. His Federation teams competed in the Olympics, World Cup and International tournaments.
Tousi was the assistant head coach at Fresno State from 1989 to 1991 and helped the Bulldogs to a Big West conference championship in 1991.
“Coach Tousi brings a very intense and serious attitude to the program,” said Matt Johnson, a senior midfielder who played for Tousi at the Club level. “He has a vast knowledge of the tactical and mental side of the game … I believe he has the winning combination of passion and knowledge that can turn this team into a winning and very successful program.”
Since 1987, Tousi has coached at various club levels in the greater Fresno area, including serving as the Director of Coaching for the Bullard Soccer Association from 1990-2002. Tousi also served as the Director of Coaching of the California Odyssey Soccer Club. Most recently, he coached in the professional soccer league in Tehran, Iran.
With his club teams, Tousi has won several State Cup and league championships and is a two-time national champion (1996-97) with the California Roadrunners and was the 2006 national champions with the California Odyssey. In 1995, Tousi was named the California Youth Soccer Boys Coach of the Year.
Tousi holds many coaching credentials, including a FIFA coaching license. He was a faculty member in physical education and sports at Shahid Behashti University in Iran. He earned his master's (1979) and bachelor's degrees (1972) in physical education from Tehran University.
