Master's in Coaching & Athletics Administration

MCAA Program Director

Tony Diaz, MCAA Program Director, is a former Associate Principal and Director of Interscholastic Athletics for the Oxnard Union High School District and is a recognized Certified Master Athletic Administrator (CMAA). He has been a Coach and Athletics Administrator since 1981. Tony implemented Coaching Education throughout the OUHSD using both the American Sport Education Program (ASEP) and the National High School Federation (NFHS) models. He has trained over 800 coaches and trainers statewide.

Tony earned a Bachelor of Arts from Brigham Young University and a Master of Arts Degree from Concordia University Irvine’s MCAA program. He is an active member of both the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association (NIAAA) and the California State Athletic Directors Association (CSADA) and serves with the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) at both the State and Southern Section level. He is a State representative for the CIF Coaching Education program. He also served on the State Title IX faculty, Sports Medicine, and Athletic Administrator’s committees. At the Section level he is a certified trainer for CIF-SS Pursuing Victory with Honor program, and an Ethics in Sports committee member.

Tony was selected California State Athletic Director of the Year by CSADA. He later was named the U.S. Southwestern Regional Athletic Director of the Year and was a finalist for National Athletic Director of the Year by the National Association of Sports and Physical Education. He is also the recipient of the NIAAA California State Award of Merit and CIF Southern Section Distinguished Service Award.

Tony and his wife, Sylvia, are the proud parents of five children: Alina, Tony Jr., Larry, Matt and Neesa. They also have 1 granddaughter, Lucia.

Founder / Director of Regional Recruiting & Alumni Relations

Tom White serves as the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Coaching and Athletic Administration program. His professional career involves experience in all aspects of sport; teacher-coach, athletic director, college coach, school district athletic administrator and school administrator.

Coach White's 44-year career in education, athletics and coaching education spans from Appleton West High School in Wisconsin to the Capistrano Unified School District in Southern California, with stops in La Puente, San Clemente, Capistrano Valley High School and at Saddleback Community College.

Prior to coming to Concordia to found the MCAA program, Coach White was the Director of Athletics and Activities for the Capistrano Unified School District. His responsibilities included the development of the Capistrano Coaching Education program, the implementation of the "Pursuing Victory with Honor" sportsmanship program and providing leadership for the athletic and activities programs which serve the 51,500 students in this public school district.

While at Concordia, Tom helped begin the MCAA program in 2005 with twelve graduate students. Currently over 700 students are enrolled in the program. The MCAA program has become a nationally recognized leader in the field of athletic education, viewing coaching and athletic administration as an academic discipline while responding to and implementing change in the world of athletics.

Professional contributions include service on the Governor's Task Force on Drug Abuse, National Track and Field Advisory Board, CIF Southern Section Track and Field Advisory Committee, CIF Southern Section League Representative, CIF Coaching Certification Instructor, and CIF Sports Ethics Committee. Coach White has presented at regional and national conferences and seminars in the field of coaching education and athletic administration. Additional honors include being named "Teacher of the Year", California Track and Field "Coach of the Year" and named "Coach of the Year" on ten occasions.

Tom is the proud father of two daughters. Carin Searby is a UCLA graduate currently living in Palm Beach, Florida with her husband Fred, daughter Camille (3) and son Frederick (1). Daughter Katie is a Family Practice Physician in San Diego, California.

He feels very blessed and thankful to be in the position in life to help students attain their personal goals and dreams.

Founding Faculty / Curriculum Developer

Bill Cunerty received his B.A. from the University of Southern California and his M.A. in Education from Cal State Dominguez Hills. While attending USC, Cunerty was a two sport student-athlete, playing football and baseball under legendary coaches John McKay and Rod Dedeaux. Cunerty's teaching and coaching career began at his alma mater, North High School in Torrance, California. The Saxons won the Bay League football championship in his first year as head coach, and he was also a member of the baseball coaching staff that won two CIF championships. After North, Cunerty was the head football coach at Dana Hills High School and then Capistrano Valley High School, leading both schools to CIF playoff appearances during his tenure.

Bill Cunerty began his collegiate coaching career as the offensive coordinator for Saddleback College, and was part of two National Championships. After 14 years as the offensive coordinator, Cunerty was selected as the head football coach in 1995. In his first year as head coach, the Gauchos won the Mission Conference championship and the Simple Green Bowl. The following season, Saddleback won the National Championship and Cunerty was selected as the NCAA's National Junior College Coach of the Year. Coach Cunerty is also a founding partner, along with Mike Holmgren and Jim Fassel, of the West Coast Passing School; a camp that was attended by over 1,800 high school quarterbacks and receivers. In 2003 Cunerty began working for the Athlete's Performance Institute, training college players for the NFL Combine. In his time with the API, he has coached 6 first round draft picks and 38 players who have gone on to careers in the NFL.

In addition to his success on the football field, Cunerty has been just as successful on the golf course. Cunerty is the only head coach in California Community College history to have coached state championship teams in three different sports (football, men's golf, and women's golf). Cunerty continues his work as a color analyst for Cox 3 for Orange County high school and college teams. He is very active in the community, and was recognized for these efforts in 2008 by the Boy Scouts of America, being selected as one of six "Men of Character".