Chico State Athletics

Women’s basketball coach Molly Goodenbour has left her post at Chico State after two strong seasons to become the head coach at UC Irvine, Anteaters Athletic Director Mike Izzi announced Monday. Also Monday, Chico State Athletic Director Anita Barker announced that Brian Fogel will take over as the program’s interim head coach. Fogel, Goodenbour’s head assistant last season, is the former men’s head basketball coach at UC Davis.

“Molly did a terrific job building on the strong women’s basketball tradition here at Chico State. We appreciate her contribution to the program and wish her the best of luck at UC Irvine,” said Barker. “At the same time, we’re thrilled to have someone the caliber of Brian Fogel to step in. He has already developed a strong rapport with the returning players and he’s an excellent coach with a strong track record.”

Fogel led the UC Davis men’s program to an 89-49 record and two trips to the NCAA Championship Tournament from 1998-2003. His 1999-2000 squad advanced all the way to the Sweet 16.

“I’m extremely excited about this opportunity,” said Fogel. “I obviously already know the players and I think that continuity is important. I’m really looking forward to working with them again this year as their head coach.”

Fogel’s coaching career began in the 1989-90 season, after his graduation from Sonoma State University that same year. He helped coach his alma mater to a Northern California Athletic Conference (NCAC) title and NCAA Tournament berth. After assisting at UC Berkeley the following season, he moved on to become an assistant coach at San Francisco State where he helped the Gators bump their win total from seven to 21 in three seasons and advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament. Fogel’s first head coaching assignment came in 1994-95 at Skyline Community College where his team compiled a 16-14 record and advanced to the Northern California Regional Championships. He joined the UC Davis staff for the 1995-96 season and the Aggies were 164-66 during his tenure there. This will be his first women’s head coaching position.

“I just think basketball is basketball,” said Fogel. “My experience last year was extremely rewarding and I look forward to continuing to build on the strong relationship I have with this team.”

An All-NCAC player while at Sonoma State, Fogel still ranks fourth on the school’s career 3-pointers made list with 141, and third in career 3-point percentage (.429). 

Fogel earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from Sonoma State in 1990 and his master’s degree in health, physical education, and recreation from Saint Mary’s College in 1992. He and his wife, Kerry, have two daughters, Katrina and Brooke.

Goodenbour compiled a 52-11 record and led the Wildcats to consecutive NCAA Championship Tournaments during her tenure, running the program’s streak to six NCAA Tournament berths in a row. Last season, the Wildcats tied the program record with 28 victories, claimed the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) regular season and Championship Tournament titles, and Goodenbour was named the CCAA Coach of the Year.

The seventh women’s basketball coach in UC Irvine history, Goodenbour received a four-year contract. The Anteaters finished 7-24 last season and have not had a winning season since 2002-03.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity I was given to coach at Chico State and the support I received from Anita Barker, Drew Callendrella, and President (Paul) Zingg,” said Goodenbour. “I’m also thankful for the players who put in the hard work to maintain the level of excellence expected from the program. I wish them all the best of luck and I know the program has a great future under the direction of Brian (Fogel).