BERKELEY – California women's soccer head coach Neil McGuire has announced a promotion within the team's coaching staff, elevating longtime assistant coach Cori Callahan to the role of Associate Head Coach.
 
"Cori is both a tremendous coach and person, and we cannot thank her enough for her dedication to our Cal soccer program," McGuire said. "She is a wonderful role model who inspires those around her to be their best, and someone who cares deeply for those in her care. We are lucky to have her and the promotion to Associate Head Coach is well-earned and richly deserved."
 
Callahan has vast experience as an elite-level goalkeeper on the collegiate and professional levels and more than 20 years as a goalkeeper coach. The longtime assistant coach has been with the program in a coaching capacity for the last 12 seasons after joining as a volunteer assistant coach in 2011. During her time in Berkeley, the Golden Bears have made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, and she has helped Cal's goalkeeping corps to numerous record-setting seasons.
 
"I want to thank Neil McGuire for his guidance and support throughout my career," Callahan said. "Cal is a special place that has been a home for me and my family since the first day we stepped foot on campus. I am grateful to wake up every day and work at the No. 1 public university in the world, with a soccer program full of rich history, success, and most important, incredible women who have gone on to impact the next generation as Olympians, professional soccer players, teachers, doctors, lawyers and leaders in their communities. Thank you to all the Bears I have had the opportunity to impact – you have equally impacted me and my family. I cannot wait to continue bleeding Blue and Gold in this new role."
 
In Callahan's 12 seasons with the program, the Bears have recorded a combined 131 shutouts. In 2017, Cal conceded just 11 goals total, tying the program record for fewest goals allowed in a single season Cal went on an incredible streak of nine-straight matches without allowing a goal that season.
 
 
Along with the team's defensive and collective success, under Callahan's direction the Bears have consistently developed standout goalkeepers who have succeeded in both the collegiate and professional ranks. Emily Kruger, Emily Boyd, and Angelina Anderson all found their way into the record books during their Cal careers, with all three ranking top-five all-time in career saves and shutouts. Boyd, who was named Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017, stands alone at the top in those two categories and also ranks in the top-five in goals against average. Boyd amassed 36 total shutouts during her career, which is the third-most in Pac-12 history, and earned three All-Pac-12 nods. She is now entering her sixth season with the Chicago Red Stars of the NWSL. Anderson, who earned Pac-12 Goalkeeper of the Year and Pac-12 Freshman of the Year honors in 2019, was recently selected in the second round of the 2023 NWSL Draft by Angel City FC. She served as the starting 'keeper and captain of the Under-17 U.S. Women's Youth National Team at the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup and was also on the U.S. roster for the FIFA U-20 World Cup in 2018.
 
Kruger had an incredible Cal career with 20 total shutouts and at the time of her graduation was the Bears' career saves leader. A three-time All-Pac-12 honoree, Kruger went on to play professionally for three seasons, including two with the Portland Thorns FC in the NWSL.
 
Callahan, formerly Alexander, turned her attention to coaching following her own standout career as a goalkeeper. A 2007 graduate from the University of Portland, Callahan led the Pilots to an NCAA championship in 2005, when she earned NCAA Tournament Defensive MVP distinction. She is still Portland's career leader in saves and shutouts and earned both All-American and All-Academic honors during her four years with the Pilots. At the international level, Callahan had several stints with the Under-21 and Under-23 U.S. Women's Youth National Teams, including starting every match for the U-21s at the 2007 Nordic Cup. She also enjoyed an impressive professional career in the W-League and WPS playing for the Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders, and Sky Blue FC, where she was drafted eighth overall in 2008 and was a part of the club's run to the inaugural WPS Championship in 2009.