Is This Women's Soccer Coach Hiding a Shocking Secret That Could Change Everything?

In March 2026, Whitney Pitalo joined the University of Washington as an assistant coach, marking her first season on the staff led by head coach Nicole Van Dyke. Pitalo's primary focus will be on the Husky defensive unit, where her diverse coaching experience promises to make a significant impact.

Pitalo's coaching journey is impressive. Most recently, she served as the head coach at Cal State Bakersfield (CSUB) during the 2025 season, where she achieved remarkable success. Under her leadership, the Roadrunners recorded one of the most successful campaigns in the program's Division I era, setting multiple records including the fewest goals allowed in a season at just 19. Additionally, CSUB achieved its highest conference win total in 25 years, along with its best goal differential of +7 and most points in conference play. The team also matched its longest unbeaten streak in program history, going five matches without a loss, and saw 12 different players record points with six earning All-Conference honors.

Prior to her tenure at CSUB, Pitalo gained valuable experience at Boston College and Gonzaga, each for one season. At Boston College, she contributed to the Eagles achieving a 12-5-2 record, the program's strongest finish in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) since 2018. Meanwhile, during her time with Gonzaga, the Bulldogs captured their first West Coast Conference (WCC) Championship and secured their inaugural NCAA Tournament bid. Pitalo was part of the coaching staff that earned the United Soccer Coaches West Region Coaching Staff of the Year award in 2023.

Pitalo's coaching career began at the NAIA program Corban University, where she served as head coach in 2022. She led the Warriors to an impressive 11-4-3 record, achieving single-season school records for fewest goals allowed (12), fewest losses (4), and most shutouts (12). Before her collegiate coaching career, she launched the women’s soccer program at Umpqua Community College, guiding the team to a third-place finish in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC) Southern Region and developing five NWAC All-Stars in the program’s inaugural season. Additionally, Pitalo made her mark at West Salem High School, where she led the team to a state semifinal appearance and was named the OSAA 6A Coach of the Year.

Pitalo's playing career also boasts significant accolades. As a standout defender at the University of Southern California (USC) from 2012 to 2016, she earned recognition as Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week in 2014. During that season, she played in 19 matches, starting the final 10 as the Trojans returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2010.

With her impressive track record, Pitalo's addition to the Washington coaching staff signals a commitment to strengthening the Husky women's soccer program. As she embarks on this new chapter, her diverse experiences and proven success at various levels of competition will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping the team's defensive strategies. As the season unfolds, fans and players alike will be eager to see how her coaching philosophies translate into on-field success for the Huskies.