This summer we'll be featuring various coaches from our 23 teams in a Q&A format on UCSDTritons.com as well as our social media accounts.

Kristin Jones enters her fourth season as head coach of UC San Diego's women's soccer program. The former Triton standout graduated in 2004 and has been a member of the coaching staff ever since.

Jones' third season as head coach was the Tritons' first competitive season in the Big West. That 2021 season featured a Triton defense which finished third in the Big West in saves per game with 4.94, in spite of two new goalkeepers earning all of the minutes. UC San Diego boasted a pair of Big West honorees in 2021, including Honorable Mention selection Katelyn Meyer and All-Big West Freshman Team member Keara Fitzgerald.

Having jumped straight into coaching at her alma mater in 2004 after exhausting her eligibility, Jones took over as the top assistant under her former head coach, Brian McManus, prior to the start of the 2006 campaign. She was elevated to the position of associate head coach in 2015.

In her first year as head coach in 2019, Jones continued to coach the Tritons to success in the program's final Division II season. The Tritons captured their fifth-consecutive CCAA tournament title and made their fifth-straight NCAA postseason appearance. UC San Diego finished the season leading the nation in shutout percentage (.737) and save percentage (.892).

What's an interesting fact about you that's not listed in your bio?
I am the oldest of five kids.

What's one skill/talent you wish you had or would like to learn?
I want Coach Timmer to teach me how to play tennis!

What are three words you would use to describe your team culture?
Passionate, family, high-achieving. 

What has stood out to you most in the transition to Division I competition?
We came in ready! Our team is more than competitive and we look to continue to close the gap on top Division I opponents. The tactical sophistication of our opponents is the biggest difference, but we enjoy the preparation each game calls for.
 
What are you looking forward to most with your squad next season?
We will have a great balance of returners, transfers and freshmen. Our roster will be full of determination, grit and overall soccer ability. Any player can go on the field and make a huge impact and as a coach, that is beyond exciting.

What is your favorite coaching memory?
I have been fortunate to coach very good teams during my time here at UCSD. Great soccer players, but even better people. I have to say, our 2018 run to the NCAA Final Four was special. We had very memorable wins on the road to Pittsburgh but the memories made off the field were equally as great.

Who has influenced you most in your career and why?
Brian McManus will always be the one who gave me my passion for coaching and who gave me the opportunity to learn from him for over 15 years on my road to becoming head coach. The way he could give the players the belief to achieve more than they ever imagined they could is his gift and I hope one day I can positively impact as many players as he has.

What's one piece of advice you've received that has stuck with you?
Be authentic always.

What advice would you give to potential student-athletes who are going through the recruiting process?
Be patient and don't compare your situation to anyone else. Everyone has a unique journey. It is important to know what you want from an academic and athletic standpoint, and never compromise that.

What stands out to you most when evaluating prospective student-athletes at camps or summer tournaments?
Summer is an exciting time for recruiting between the high level playoffs and showcases as well as the numerous camps. These summer tournaments are usually the culmination of the highly competitive league play and there is a lot riding on each game. We love to see competitive drive in players! Camps are a great opportunity to get to know players on a personal level as well as look closely into their soccer skills. They are the best way to see if someone will be a positive contributor to team culture.

Check back on UCSDTritons.com all summer long for future editions of “Coaches' Corner" from other UC San Diego coaches. Previous “Coaches' Corner” entries are below.

• Juan Ignacio Calderon (Fencing)
• Fred Hanover (Men's Golf)

About UC San Diego Athletics
After two decades as one of the most successful programs in NCAA Division II, the UC San Diego intercollegiate athletics program has begun a new era as a member of the Big West Conference in NCAA Division I. The 23-sport Tritons earned 30 team and nearly 150 individual national championships during its time in Divisions II and III and helped guide 1,400 scholar-athletes to All-America honors. A total of 83 Tritons have earned Academic All-America honors, while 38 have garnered prestigious NCAA Post Graduate Scholarships. UC San Diego scholar-athletes exemplify the academic ideals of one of the world's preeminent institutions, graduating at an average rate of 90 percent, the highest rate among public institutions in Division I or II. For more information on the Tritons, visit UCSDtritons.com or follow UC San Diego Athletics on social media @UCSDtritons.