Samantha Duran-Kukuk, a former Women’s College World Series participant at UCLA, is returning to California as the new head coach of University of the Pacific’s softball program.

Duran-Kukuk spent the last three years as associate head coach at Utah Valley University and previously held stints at California State University-East Bay and California State University-Bakersfield. She has spent the last eight years coaching softball.

“I’m very grateful and honored to be the next head coach at University of the Pacific and I would like to thank (Athletic Director) Adam Tschuor for this incredible opportunity,” Duran-Kukuk said. “This institution carries a legacy and a tradition that I cannot wait to be a part of. My goal is to create a championship culture that will make our athletes, alumni and the community of Stockton very proud. I can’t wait to get started.”

Duran-Kukuk is known as a player’s coach. This past season, she developed several student-athletes into starters and professionals as the Wolverines won 25 games, their most in over 10 seasons. It included a 15-10 mark in the Western Athletic Conference and a pair of wins in the conference tournament.

“I loved playing for Coach Duran-Kukuk. She assisted me a lot in my transition to becoming an outfielder and it helped me become a starting outfielder at the professional level,” said Linnah Rebolledo, who played for Duran-Kukuk at Utah Valley and is now part of the Mexico National Team. “She’s a very driven coach and she’s definitely there for her players both on and off the field.”

Before arriving at Utah Valley, Duran-Kukuk served as assistant coach at Cal State East Bay. During her three seasons with the Pioneers, she worked as a hitting coach and assisted with player development, game day operations, recruiting and team community service projects.

“I couldn't be happier for Sam and the Pacific softball program,” said Cal State East Bay Head Coach Claire Amundson. “One of her greatest strengths as a coach is her ability to connect with her players and bring out the best in them.

“Her experience coaching athletes at all levels shows what a great teacher of our game she is. She has energy, she values the student-athlete experience, and she knows what it takes to win. Pacific Softball got a good one in Sam Duran-Kukuk."

Prior to her time at Cal State East Bay, Duran was a graduate assistant at CSU Bakersfield from 2016-18, during which the Runners were members of the Western Athletic Conference. She began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at San Diego State in 2015.

“After meeting with coach Sam, one thing was overwhelmingly clear to us: this is an absolute star and someone that we need to have as a Pacific Tiger,” Tschuor said. “She is a competitor and a leader that will be a tremendous role model for our student-athletes and has a plan for success in the West Coast Conference.

“I have no doubt that she will have a positive impact on not only our program but the entire Stockton softball community. We are very excited to welcome Sam and her family to Pacific.”

Duran-Kukuk attended national powerhouse UCLA and was a four-year letterwinner for the Bruins from 2011-15. She was a part of four NCAA Regional and two NCAA Super Regional teams, including her senior season in 2015. That UCLA squad advanced to the Women’s College World Series where she scored a run in the Bruins’ win over Oregon in their opening game. 

“I am thrilled to see Sam start a new chapter as the head coach at Pacific,” said UCLA Head Coach Kelly Inouye-Perez. “Sam has a passion for learning and knows all aspects of building a championship-level program both on and off the field. She was respected as a Bruin with her work ethic and ability to build confidence with everyone she works with. I have no doubt that she will continue to impact the lives of the young women she works with at Pacific.”

A native of Whittier, California, Duran-Kukuk earned an undergraduate degree from UCLA in political science and a master’s degree in public policy and administration from CSU Bakersfield.