After serving as an assistant coach at Metro State for two seasons, former Roadrunner Adrianne Almaraz begins her first season as head coach.

Almaraz, who was a captain on Metro State's 2004 national championship team and an assistant coach for the 2006 national title squad, was named head coach in March 2008.

Almaraz spent the 2006 and 2007 seasons as an assistant under former head coach Danny Sanchez. She was responsible for assisting with all aspects of the program, specifically focusing on recruiting, on-field coaching and camps. During her two seasons, the Roadrunners advanced to two NCAA tournaments, including the national title run in 2006, and won two Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference championships. In addition to her coaching duties, Almaraz has done marketing for the athletic department, including assisting with the booster club and the annual scholarship dinner and auction.

Prior to her return to Metro State, Almaraz spent the 2005 season as an assistant coach at Cal State Stanislaus. The Warriors posted a 15-4-2 overall record, including an 11-2-1 mark in the California Collegiate Athletic Association, and a first-place North Division finish. In addition to her coaching responsibilities, Almaraz also assisted the athletic director with marketing and served as the study hall coordinator.

Almaraz has worked with the Colorado Edge and the Mile High Edge Reserve team. In addition, she has worked with the Colorado Storm and at numerous camps, including at the University of Colorado and Cal State Bakersfield. She previously served as an assistant girl's coach at the Academy of Charter High School in Thornton, Colo. Almaraz also played for the W League's Mile High Edge in 2005 and 2006, helping the team to its first playoff berth during her second season.

Almaraz played her 2003 junior and 2004 senior seasons at Metro State after playing her 2001 freshman and 2002 sophomore seasons at Cal State Bakersfield. As a 2004 senior and team captain, Almaraz helped lead the Roadrunners to a 25-1-0 overall record and 23 straight victories to end the season, culminating in the national championship. She was a first team all-RMAC and a second team all-Midwest Region selection after starting all 26 games and scoring 12 points, including four goals. As a 2003 junior, Almaraz earned first team all-region and second team all-RMAC accolades.

A 2005 graduate of Metro State, Almaraz earned a bachelor's degree in business management. She holds a USSF "C" national license and a NSCAA National Diploma. A native of Bakersfield, Calif., Almaraz is single and resides in Lakewood, Colo.