Cal State Fullerton Director of Athletics Jim Donovan has announced the hiring of John Bonner to be the Titans new head women’s basketball coach.
“It was a very competitive search, with numerous qualified candidates,” Donovan said. “President Rochon, the committee, and I were very impressed with John’s success at CSU Dominguez Hills. We were even more impressed with his commitment to team culture and developing women leaders for the future, through the sport of women’s basketball. His philosophy aligns with our belief that Titan Athletics Is a leadership laboratory – creating future leaders for our community, state, and country. We extend a warm welcome to head coach John Bonner and we look forward to our future success in Titan Women’s Basketball.”
Bonner, the 12th head coach in the Titans women’s basketball history, comes to Cal State Fullerton after spending the past nine seasons at the helm of Cal State Dominguez Hills.
This past season, Bonner led the Toros to their sixth CCAA Championship with a 36-2 overall record and coached the Toros all the way to the NCAA Division II Championship game where they became the National Runner Up. It was the first time the Toros made the NCAA Championship Game in program history.
“First and foremost, I want to say thank you to President Rochan, Athletic Director Jim Donovan, and the committee for entrusting me to lead this program, ” said John Bonner. Being named the head coach at Cal State Fullerton is truly a dream come true. I’m excited about the opportunity to lead a group of strong and talented young people and to be a part of a university that values both academic and athletic success. This role means so much to me, not just as a coach, but as someone who believes in the power of sports; to holistically shape lives. I can’t wait to build relationships, create a culture rooted in trust and hard work, and compete with pride for the Titan community!”
Over his tenure in charge of the Toros, Bonner has compiled a 127-82 record. He was named the CCAA Coach of the Year twice (2022-23, 2024-25) and led the Toros to being ranked as high as the No. 2 team in the country. He led the Toros to the most wins in program history twice, besting his previous record of 31-3 in 2022-23 with a 36-2 record this past season.
Bonner’s accomplishments include a total of five postseason appearances at the CCAA Tournament, including two trips to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Tournament (2022-23, 2024-25).
Bonner has won four regular season or conference tournament championships while in charge of the Toros. He led the Toros to their first and second ever NCAA West Regional Championship title in 2023 and 2025, two trips to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight, and this past season their first final four and NCAA Division II Championship game.
Throughout his leadership, his student-athletes have won numerous conference and national honors. They include 25 All-Conference Team Honors, 1 CCAA Newcomer of the Year (Ariana Harper), Two CCAA Freshman of the Year Honors (Nala Williams/2023, Cristina Jones/2025), Two CCAA Defensive Player of the Years (Dawnyel Lair/2023, Nala Williams/2025), and Two CCAA Player of the Year Honors (Dawnyel Lair/2023, Nala Williams/2025). This past season, Nala Williams was named the 2025 WBCA NCAA Division II National Player of the Year—the first in CSUDH history—and earned WBCA First Team All-American honors. She also was named the D2 CCA West Region Player of the Year and to the All-West Region First Team. Williams was named to the All-West Region Second team after the 2023-24 season. After the 2022-23 season, Dawnyel Lair was named a 3rd-team All-D2CCA All-American as well as being selected to the WBCA All-American First Team and D2CCA All-Region First Team.
“I am very excited to welcome John to the Titans family,” said Associate Athletics Director Sara Perry. “He is a proven leader with a vision for Titan Women’s basketball that I think will set us apart in the Big West Conference. I look forward to working with him this upcoming season.”
Prior to coaching at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Bonner was an assistant on the women’s basketball staff at Fresno Pacific for six seasons from 2010-16. During his time with the Sunbirds he was promoted to be the program’s first full-time assistant in 2014, before taking over the program as the interim head coach in April 2016. As the lead assistant coach, Bonner played an integral role in coaching, recruiting, scouting and all other facets of the women’s basketball program. During his time at FPU, he helped the Sunbirds to a 12-8 conference record in the 2013-14 season, the program’s first winning record since 2002. He’s also coached two All-Americans during while at Fresno Pacific.
Prior to joining the FPU staff, Bonner served as a student assistant for the Fresno State women’s basketball team. John assisted with skill development and other aspects of the program, while being a part of multiple NCAA Tournament teams.
A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Bonner holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling – marriage & family therapy, both from Fresno State.
“I’d like to thank the Search Committee for their thorough work in the process of selecting John Bonner. There were numerous qualified candidates and I appreciate the diligence and effort of the committee,” Donovan said.
https://fullertontitans.com/news/2025/5/6/john-bonner-named-head-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
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