SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos softball team has a new leader as A.J. Robinson was named the program's sixth head coach in program history on Wednesday morning.
 
"We are excited to name Coach Robinson as the new head coach of Cougar softball," CSUSM Director of Athletics Morod Shah said. "A.J. has been an integral part of the recent success of the program through his recruiting, student-athlete development and strong passion for the sport of softball. I am looking forward to his leadership of the program as we move CSUSM softball forward."
 
As the program's assistant coach from 2022-24, Robinson helped guide CSUSM to three NCAA Division II West Regional appearances, an NCAA National Championship appearance, a West Regional Championship, a CCAA Regular-Season Championship and a CCAA Tournament Championship.
 
"I am so excited and grateful for the opportunity to be the next head coach at CSUSM," Robinson said." I want to thank the hiring committee, administration, athletic department coaches and staff, and the search firm for giving me the chance to show them how much this position means to me and my family. I would also like to give a huge thank you to all of our current and former student-athletes, parents and colleagues who reached out in support of me. You are my "why"!"
 
"CSUSM softball is in a great position today thanks to Coach Stef Ewing," Robinson continued. "She will be missed greatly, and we wish her all the best as she takes over at the University of Montana. We know she will do great things there, and she will always be a part of our Cougar Family and my best friend."

In 2024, Robinson assisted CSUSM to its first-ever CCAA Tournament Championship and its third consecutive NCAA West Regional championship game appearance.
 
Robinson helped the Cougars win the NCAA West Regional and advance to the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2023. The Cougars ended the season ranked No. 7 in the country in the final NFCA Division II Coaches Poll. Robinson and former head coach Stef Ewing were named the 2023 NFCA West Region Coaching Staff of the Year in NCAA DII.
 
In 2022, Robinson assisted the program to its first CCAA Regular-Season Championship and a NCAA Division II-era program record of 45 wins. The team received the No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional and finished one win away from punching their ticket to the NCAA National Championship. The team finished the year ranked No. 11 in the final NFCA Division II Coaches Poll.
 
"I'd like to extend my congratulations to Coach A.J. Robinson on his appointment as the new softball head coach at Cal State San Marcos," said Viridiana Diaz, CSUSM Vice President for Student Affairs. "With past experience as an assistant coach in our program, A.J. already has a strong understanding of who our players are and our philosophy of caring for the whole student and meeting them where they are. I'm confident that he will build upon the existing culture and continue to elevate softball and Athletics at CSUSM."
 
For the 2021 season, Robinson was a volunteer assistant coach at San Diego State and helped the Aztecs to an overall record of 28-16.
 
Robinson's first stint at CSUSM was as a volunteer assistant coach from 2018-20 where he was named CSUSM Athletics' Volunteer Assistant Coach of the Year in 2020.
 
Robinson was the founder and president of The Factory Softball Club in San Diego until 2024. In 2018 and 2019, he and his coaching staff earned West Region Travel Ball Coaching Staff of the Year honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA).
 
"Cal State San Marcos softball is very special, and I look forward to leading these amazing student-athletes as we build on our past success as students in the classroom, members of the community and as athletes," Robinson said. "We will continue building our program into a perennial national contender that represents CSUSM, the CCAA and the great community of San Marcos here in North San Diego."