May 8, 2007

BERKELEY, Calif. - California head coach Jill Malko, the only head coach in the nine-year history of the Golden Bears women's lacrosse program, has resigned her post effective July 1 to take a different position within the University, Bears Director of Athletics Sandy Barbour announced on Tuesday.

"We thank Jill for her dedication and commitment to providing a high quality experience for each and every one of her student-athletes," Barbour said. "She took a once-time club program and built it into a force to be reckoned with on the national lacrosse scene. We know that Jill will find success in her future role with the University and I am personally thrilled she will remain a Golden Bear."

Cal will conduct a national search for a new coach, Barbour added.

This summer, Malko, who compiled a 92-68 record at Cal, will transition into her new role as a regional development officer for the Berkeley campus' University Relations Office.

"It is not without mixed emotions that I have submitted my resignation as the head lacrosse coach at Cal," Malko said. "I have had over nine wonderful years building this program. Everyday I have been inspired by my peers and the staff here but more importantly have constantly grown and learned daily with the amazing young women on this team. It has not always been easy, but nothing worth doing is. Coaching at Cal has been a dream fulfilled and I am proud of the accomplishments of this program.

"I am excited to take on a new challenge here at the University of California because I do believe in the public university education that Berkeley embodies. Excellence is evident everywhere on this campus and I want to continue to be a part of that."

The Bears completed this past season with a 7-10 record after reaching the MPSF Tournament third-place game. In 2006, Cal won its first share of the MPSF regular-season title, two seasons after it captured the inaugural MPSF Tournament crown in 2004.

Malko was selected the MPSF Co-Coach of the Year in 2004, when current senior goalkeeper Hilary Lynch was named the MPSF Co-Newcomer of the Year. The Bears also earned their first top-20 ranking that season after upsetting ninth-ranked Ohio State, 10-6.

"I've enjoyed tremendously these nine-plus years at Cal," Malko added. "As a program and a coach we've accomplished so many things. We've had a lot of success both academically and athletically and I'm really proud with what we've done. For me it's a decision based on personal reasons and family commitments. I'm excited to still be here at Cal. I won't be far, but I'll be supporting the program in a new role."