West Hills College Lemoore Interim Athletic Director Andrea Picchi has announced the hiring of Kevin Wilds as the Golden Eagles' new women's volleyball head coach. Wilds stays within the district after serving as an assistant coach at West Hills College Coalinga.

"I am really excited to coach for West Hills College Lemoore," said Wilds. "I'm happy to stay in the district that I have coached in for more than a decade and teach in for 16 years."

Wilds spent the last 14 years on the coaching staff of Jeff Wanderer at West Hills Coalinga. Last year (2019), he helped guide the Falcons to a spot in the Northern California Regional Playoffs. West Hills Coalinga compiled a 17-9 overall record and went 12-4 in Central Valley Conference play.

"Being an assistant coach for the last 14 years has given me the college experience that I hope I can instill within the volleyball program and the institution," Wilds said.

Wilds also brings high school and club coaching expertise to Lemoore. The Hanford High School graduate coached there for one year and has seven years of coaching experience with Dig It Volleyball Club based out of Hanford and Lemoore.

Although the start of the 2020 fall season for all athletics teams is up in the air because of the coronavirus pandemic, Wilds can't wait to get his team on the court when it is safe to do so.

"My short-term goal is to compete and instill a sense of pride in the work that is put forward," Wilds said. "Long term is the successful graduation of young women who will become responsible citizens in the world."