SAN RAFAEL, Calif. — Dominican University of California has named Zach Kingsley as the program's new men's head soccer coach, announced Acting Director of Athletics Amy Henkelman on Tuesday.

"I look forward to bringing Zach on board. He brings new energy to the department and program," said Henkelman. "He has head coaching experience and brings a ton of energy and passion for the game. Zach will do a great job of teaching student-athletes through the sport of soccer."

Kingsley played Major League Soccer with the Colorado Rapids from 2002-04 and was the franchise's MLS Rookie of the Year nominee during the 2002-03 season. He was a 2002 second round pick by the Seattle Sounders before being traded to the Rapids in the middle of his rookie season.

Most recently, Kingsley spent a season as head coach at another PacWest member institution, Chaminade. In his one season there, Kingsley orchestrated the greatest turnaround in program history, transforming an 0-15-1 squad in 2013 to a team that went 6-10 in 2014. Kingsley spent the 2013 season as a graduate assistant coach for Hawai'i Pacific women's soccer. He also has extensive club experience.

"I am extremely excited for this new chapter of my coaching career with Dominican University of California men's soccer! It is a great school with a tremendous staff and I feel confident we will achieve great things with the men's soccer program," said Kingsley. "I want to thank Dominican for this opportunity; my family, my players, and fellow coaches for everything that they have given me."

In college, Kingsley helped guide Washington to three consecutive Pac-10 titles and was named offensive MVP as a senior. He graduated from Washington in 2002 with a bachelor's degree in Anthropology: Linguistics and Culture and is currently pursuing his Masters.

"Zach is the right leader for the position and he will guide our young men and soccer program to unprecedented achievements and accomplishments," added Phillip Billeci-Gard, who handed off the reins of the program to become associate director of athletics for internal operations.

In addition to his soccer experience, Kingsley taught at French American School of Puget Sound in Washington and at Beawha Women's University in Seoul, South Korea.

Kingsley is the third coach of the Penguins since Dominican made the transition to NCAA Division II athletics in 2009.