Summary:
Seattle University has appointed John Bonner as the new head coach of its women's basketball program. Bonner has 10 years of head coaching experience, most recently leading Cal State Fullerton to its best season this century. He previously spent eight seasons as head coach at CSU Dominguez Hills, where he led the program to sustained success and two 30-win seasons. Bonner is a proven winner with a focus on developing high-character student-athletes and a strong commitment to culture and preparedness.
Seattle University has hired John Bonner as the seventh head coach of its women’s basketball program, the school announced Thursday.
Bonner brings a decade of head coaching experience at the Division I and Division II levels, most recently leading Cal State Fullerton to its best season this century.
“Coach Bonner is a proven winner,” said Vice President for Athletics Shaney Fink. “He brings a sharp basketball mind paired with a demonstrated ability to recruit and develop top-tier talent. During his 10 years as a head coach, he has consistently built winning programs anchored by a focus on developing high-character student athletes and a strong commitment to culture and preparedness. With John Bonner leading the way, we are excited to elevate our women’s basketball program to meet the competitive standard of the West Coast Conference, align with the expectations of Seattle University and, more broadly, the excellence of women’s basketball in the city of Seattle.”
Bonner took over the Cal State Fullerton program last May and led the Titans to an 18-win season and a trip to the Big West Conference Tournament quarterfinals in his first year. The team posted 13 conference wins, its highest total since the 1990-91 season, and ranked among conference leaders in scoring, rebounding and defensive pressure.
“I am grateful to Vice President for Athletics Shaney Fink and President Eduardo Peñalver for the opportunity to join Seattle University and lead this program,” said John Bonner. “Women’s basketball is reaching new heights nationally, and I am both honored and excited to build on that momentum here in Seattle. We will pursue excellence, compete with purpose and work every day to elevate this program to new heights, making the women’s basketball program a source of pride for our campus and community.”
Before joining Fullerton, Bonner spent eight seasons as head coach at CSU Dominguez Hills, where he compiled a 141-96 record and led the program to sustained success.
Bonner guided the Toros to two 30-win seasons, including a 36-2 campaign in 2024-25 that ended with a runner-up finish in the NCAA Division II national championship game. The season marked the program’s first appearance in a national title game and included conference regular season and tournament championships.
Bonner also led CSU Dominguez Hills to a 31-3 season in 2022-23 and multiple postseason appearances, building the program into a consistent contender in the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Bonner served as an assistant coach at Fresno Pacific from 2010 to 2016, helping lead the program to one of its strongest seasons in more than a decade while contributing to recruiting and player development.
Bonner began his coaching career as a student assistant at Fresno State, where he worked in skill development and was part of multiple NCAA tournament teams.
A native of Bakersfield, California, Bonner earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling from Fresno State.