A former Women’s College World Series participant at UCLA, Sam Duran-Kukuk was named Head Coach of the Pacific softball program in July 2024
Duran-Kukuk spent the last eight years coaching softball including the last three as Associate Head Coach at Utah Valley. In 2024, she helped coach the Wolverines to 25 wins, which was the program’s most in over 10 seasons. It included a 15-10 mark in the Western Athletic Conference and a pair of wins in the WAC Tournament.
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.
“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. 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,” Tschuor said. “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.”
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 WAC. She began her coaching career as a volunteer assistant at San Diego State in 2015.
Duran-Kukuk attended national power 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 during 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.
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.
What They’re Saying
“I am thrilled to see Sam start a new chapter as the Head Coach at Pacific. 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.” – Kelly Inouye-Perez, UCLA Head Coach
“Pacific made the right decision in hiring Sam. She is a young new up-and-coming coach that has passion for our sport. Her team is going to love her.” – Cody Thomson, USA Softball Assistant Coach, Utah Valley Head Coach
“I couldn't' be happier for Sam and the Pacific softball program. 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." - Claire Amundson, Cal State East Bay Head Coach
“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. She’s a very driven coach and she’s definitely there for her players both on and off the field.” - Linnah Rebolledo, Mexico National Team outfielder, former student-athlete at Utah Valley
