LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - J.J. Wozniak has become the newest member of the UNLV women's soccer staff as he joins the program as an assistant coach, Rebels' head coach Chris Shaw announced on Friday.

"We are very excited to be able to bring in a coach of the caliber of J.J. Wozniak," said Shaw. "His knowledge of the game and experience will be a huge asset to the program. I have known JJ for many years and there has always been a mutual respect and I could not be more excited about him joining the staff this season. He has already jumped in with both feet and will help to elevate this program to new heights."

Wozniak has been involved in coaching soccer on either the collegiate or club level since 2000, when he started out as an assistant coach and the goalkeeper coach for the Fresno State men's squad. He was also the top assistant for the men's team at Belmont University from 2011 to February of 2014, and handled numerous duties including: organizing and conducting practices, game day preparations, film analysis, travel, recruiting and he was also in charge of all summer and winter camps.

Most recently, Wozniak held the title of director of coaching for California Odyssey Soccer Club in Clovis since March of 2014, while also serving as head coach of the U-12 GIrls and U-17 Girls in 2014-15 and the same teams again in 2015-16. He came back to the club after first leaving California in 2011 for the position at Belmont. Before leaving for the Nashville university, Wozniak had already spent nine years of coaching with the California Odyssey. He first started with the program as an assistant director of coaching and director of soccer operations in March of 2002, before his promotion to his first time as the director of coaching in April of 2007. Wozniak's teams saw much success, as California Odyssey was one of the original 63 clubs invited into the US Soccer National Development Academy. The program won five National Championships and had back to back Development Academy National Finalists in 2009 and 2010 under Wozniak's guidance.

Other positions held by Wozniak have included head coach for the 1990 Boys Pacific Select Team in 2005 and the U-15 Boys Pacific squad in 2006 in the Super Y-League in Tampa of January 2005 and 2006. Wozniak was a Region IV staff coach in 2006 and 2007, while he also served as an assistant coach for the Fresno Fuego FC in the United Soccer League from 2007-09.

Wozniak was an accomplished player as well, beginning his career first at Saint Louis in 1992-95 before playing two more seasons at Fresno State in 1995 and 1996. He was a two-time all-region selection and earned Mountain Pacific Sports Federation Player of the Year honors in 1995. A professional career would follow, beginning with the Los Angles Galaxy in the MLS in the fall of 1997, while he also spent time with the San Jose Clash in 1999. He spent time in the USL and USISL leagues as well, earning USISL Division 3 Goalkeeper of the Year in 1997, while picking up the USL Divison 3 Goalkeeper of the Year honors in 2001. Wozniak earned his degree from Fresno State in 2000 with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology.