LA VERNE – The University of La Verne men's soccer team has a new leader.

Trevor Persson, formerly an assistant coach at Cal State San Bernardino and Cal Poly Pomona, has been announced as La Verne's new head coach by athletics director Julie Kline on Tuesday.

Persson takes over for Crescencio Gonzalez, who has transitioned into full-time assistant athletics director for facilities after 12 years at the helm of the program.

"We are beyond thrilled to have Coach Persson as part of Leopard Athletics," Kline said. "Trevor's philosophy and understanding of the University's mission falls in line with who we are in Leopard Athletics. We are confident in Coach Persson's ability to be a transformational leader for the young men currently in the Leopards' men's soccer program and for our future student-athletes."

Persson comes to La Verne from CSUSB, where he helped the Coyotes tie two NCAA records for most ties in a season and most 0-0 ties in a season.

"I would like to thank Julie Kline, the search committee and the La Verne community for this incredible opportunity," Persson said. "It's my goal to take La Verne soccer to new heights and be a consistent championship contender in the SCIAC and on the national scene. I have always had a big interest in the program since I attended graduate school here at La Verne."

Before his stop at CSUSB, Persson coached at various levels around Southern California.

At his alma mater Cal Poly, Persson mentored a two-time All-American and a California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Player of the Year, Luis Gonzalez. Gonzalez joined Persson himself as the only other All-American in the program's history.

"My experience at CSUSB and CPP has prepared me for this new and exciting challenge in my coaching career."

Persson is also involved in club level coaching. Persson currently coaches the Legends FC U-14, U-15 and U-17 boys. Prior to that, he coached two club teams with CZ Elite in Pasadena, a Boys U-17 and a Girls U-12. The boys' team was nationally ranked after winning the inaugural Southern California Developmental Soccer League Tier 1 division, Celtic Cup, Albion College Showcase and making appearances in the Surf Cup and Dallas Cup. Persson's greatest club coaching accomplishment was winning the Surf Cup U-18 Super Group and finishing ranked No. 1 in the country. Persson also holds a National "C" coaching license.

As a player, Persson earned NCAA Division II All-American honors in his four years at Cal Poly Pomona before starting his professional career. He began with the San Diego Flash, where he was a first-round draft pick. He then moved on to the Utah Blitzz, where he was selected to second-team all-conference and won a national championship. And with steady development, Persson later trained, traveled and played as a Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA reserve from 2005 to 2007.

His two biggest coaching influences are Carlos Juarez and Lance Thompson.

"Carlos was my first college coach and he opened the door for me to begin my coaching career and created a lifelong interest in the coaching profession," Persson said. "Thompson helped me fine-tune and establish my coaching style and principles at the college level."

At CPP, Persson earned a bachelor of arts in Liberal Studies in 2004 and earned a multiple-level teaching credential and a master's in Education at La Verne in 2007.

He resides in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife, Rocio Real. Real was CCAA Scholastic Player of the Year at Cal Poly Pomona.