ROHNERT PARK, Calif. -- Former SSU All-American Chelsea Hennan, who was voted as the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) Women's Coach of the Year in June after leading the Seawolves to their highest-ever finish in the WWPA Championship, has been hired as the head coach of the Sonoma State women's water polo team, effectively removing her interim tag, the University announced Thursday.  Hennan stepped into the interim role last November when her predecessor, Coralie Simmons, stepped down to take the head coaching job at the University of California in Berkeley.

"Last season, Chelsea accepted the challenge of being an interim head coach and proved that she was ready to lead our program," said Director of Athletics Bill Fusco.  "Her accomplishments as a student athlete at SSU are legendary. Chelsea's years of experience serving as an assistant coach at SSU and head coach at Santa Rosa Junior College have provided a solid foundation for her future as our head coach."

"I am grateful and elated at the opportunity to continue to lead this great group of water polo student-athletes at an outstanding University," said Hennan. "I had a wonderful experience as a student-athlete here at Sonoma State University and I look forward to carrying on the traditions and culture of excellence in the classroom, competition and our community."

The 2018 campaign will be Hennan's 11th season as a coach for Sonoma State, spending the first nine as an assistant coach before taking over as the interim head coach last season.

Hennan guided the Seawolves to a second-place finish in the WWPA Women's Championship back in April thanks to victories over Gannon and Cal State East Bay in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively, to reach the conference finals for the first time in SSU's history.  It was there, however, that Sonoma State lost to nationally-ranked UC San Diego, but finishing second in the tournament was the best finish for the Seawolves in their 14-year history.  Overall, Sonoma ended the season with an 11-19 record.
 
Hennan's WWPA Women's Coach of the Year honor was the first for a coach from Sonoma State since it joined the conference for its inaugural season in 2004.

A former SSU women's water polo student-athlete, Hennan was selected First Team All-American in 2005 by the American Water Polo Coaches Association (AWPCA).  She was, at that time, the first water polo player in school history to earn All-America status.  Being an All-American was nothing new to Hennan, however, as she earned the designation at Santa Rosa Junior College as a sophomore.

Hennan left an impression on the SSU record books as well. For her career she ranks third in shot attempts and goals scored, fourth in field blocks, and seventh in steals.  In 2005, Hennan led the team in goals scored, goals per game and attempts. Eleven times she led the offense in scoring for a game. For her career she scored a team game-high in goals 19 times.

Hennan earned her Bachelor's degree in Kinesiology from Sonoma State University and is expected to complete her Master's degree in Kinesiology from SSU in December.  She is a member of the Sonoma State Athletics Hall of Fame, and she is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), certified by the NSCA and also a Level 1 Sports Performance Coach certified by USA weightlifting.

TRANSACTION:  Chelsea Hennan named Head Women's Water Polo Coach at Sonoma State University.