BERKELEY- Co-head coaches Elisabeth Crandall-Howell and Justin Howell of the California women's gymnastics team bolstered their coaching staff Friday afternoon by naming Cal alumna Nevaeh DeSouza as an assistant coach.
 
"I am delighted to be adding [DeSouza] to our coaching staff," Crandall-Howell said. "[DeSouza} has an incredible passion for both the sport of gymnastics and for learning. As a Cal alumna, she understands the daily life and commitment of the student-athletes. She is an enthusiastic and empathetic leader and an inquisitive learner. These qualities will make her a valuable addition to the Cal gymnastics staff."
 
DeSouza is one of the most decorated and accomplished gymnasts in Cal history. A six-time All-American and seven-time All-Pac-12 selection, DeSouza was the face of consistency for the Golden Bears. She competed in the all-around in 48 of her 49 career meets and owned a streak of 30 consecutive meets without missing a single routine. She is the first Bear to be named All-Pac-12 four years in a row and took home the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year award in 2020.
 
"I am so grateful and excited to experience this new journey, with this incredible team that I've been a part of for the last four years," DeSouza said. "I am thankful for the opportunity to learn and grow as a coach under this successful staff."
 
Over the past four years, DeSouza helped lead Cal to two straight Pac-12 regular season co-championships, three NCAA Regional appearances, two NCAA Championship appearances, and the school's first NCAA Regional win.
 
DeSouza's influence goes far beyond the floor as she served on the coaches council every year as a student at Cal, which was a position voted on by her teammates. She participates in countless volunteer opportunities from Toys 4 Tots to laying wreaths for veterans. Her commitment to the community was recognized in May as she was awarded the Walter A. Haas Jr. Community Service Award.
 
DeSouza joins Crandall-Howell and Howell, who were named WCGA Co-Head Coaches of the Year, John Carney, who was named WCGA Assistant Coach of the Year, and Jennifer Bialosky.