September 6, 2019
San Diego Mesa College Hires Former SDSU Standout Lindsay Samaniego as Women's Basketball
Coach
By Office of Communications
San Diego, CA. —San Diego Mesa College has announced the official appointment of Lindsay Samaniego as the new Women’s Basketball Coach for the Olympians. Samaniego joins the Olympians after six seasons at the helm of the Cal Lutheran
women's basketball program, where she guided the Regals to a 91-66 record while making
five straight appearances in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament, two of those appearances
in the SCIAC Postseason Tournament Championship game. Samaniego boasts a 62-34 record
against the SCIAC in her six seasons at Cal Lutheran.
“Choosing Mesa College was an easy choice, and I am excited to be a part of the Mesa
family,” stated Samaniego. “The more I learned about Mesa and its focus on becoming
the leading college of equity and excellence, the more I wanted to become a part of
a place where everyone on campus wants to see all our students succeed not only on
the playing field, but also in the classroom.”
Samaniego was hired as the head coach of Cal Lutheran women's basketball in the summer
of 2013. She began a new era for CLU with a team that included 10 freshman and one
transfer, and she led them to a 13-13 record and a SCIAC Postseason Tournament appearance
in her first season. While at Cal Lutheran, Samaniego was honored as a recipient of
a 2019 40 Under Forty Award by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“My goal as a coach is to be sure our student-athletes are challenged mentally, physically,
and emotionally to prepare them for life after college,” said Samaniego. “I also want
to make sure that we do everything that we can to assist our student-athletes to transfer
into four-year programs.”
A native of Southern California, Samaniego also served as the head coach at Moorpark
College for six seasons. During her tenure at Moorpark, her squads advanced to five
consecutive CCCAA playoff berths and an Elite Eight finish in 2012-13, which was the
best program finish since 1996. Samaniego accumulated 94 victories, with 15 or more
in all but one season, at the helm of the MC women’s basketball program after being
named the head coach at the age of 23. During the 2012-13 season, the Raiders produced
19 wins and Samaniego had seven scholar athletes as well as a Second Team All-State
player.
Her playing days began at El Camino Real HS where she was a letter-winner in basketball,
volleyball and softball. She went on to play both basketball and softball at Moorpark
College before transferring to San Diego State where she was a walk-on point guard
for the Aztecs for two seasons, and gave the Aztecs added depth at the point guard
position.
About San Diego Mesa College Athletics
Among the largest community colleges in California and the nation, San Diego Mesa
College is a fully accredited, comprehensive college serving 24,000 students and offering
196 associate degree and certificate programs. Mesa College Athletics offers 21 men’s and women’s sports, and the Mesa Academics and Athletics Program
empowers student-athletes to identify and achieve their educational, career, athletic
and personal goals. The support program guides student-athletes to obtain an educational
degree while meeting California community college and/or transfer eligibility requirements.
Mesa ranks as San Diego’s top transfer institution, with small classes, outstanding
faculty, and reputation for quality offer an unparalleled academic experience. As
a Hispanic Serving Institution, Mesa College is committed to becoming the leading
college of equity and excellence and to the success of all students, including underrepresented
students, and more than 2,400 veterans and their families. www.sdmesa.edu.
Tags: Coach Lindsay Samaniego, mesa college athletics, Women's Basketball, Press Release
