The Official Athletics Site of the Fresno Pacific University Sunbirds

Alex Culwell joined the Fresno Pacific men’s soccer staff as Player Development Coach in 2026, bringing extensive professional playing experience and a strong background in elite player development to the Sunbirds.

A Fresno native who starred at Bullard High School and Fresno City College, Culwell enjoyed a long professional playing career. Competing in the upper echelon of the USL Championship with clubs such as Fresno FC and Las Vegas Lights FC, Culwell’s career on the pitch spanned over a decade and also included pro stints with Fresno Fuego, LA Force and Irvine Zeta FC. Following his playing career, he transitioned into coaching and player development, serving as Technical Director of First Strike Soccer Academy before founding Fresno XI Soccer Academy in 2023. He has also worked as a U.S. Youth National Team scout.

Throughout his coaching career, Culwell has specialized in individual and small-group development with players ranging from elite youth and U.S. Youth National Team prospects to collegiate, MLS, NWSL and European professionals. His player development experience includes working with and coaching players currently starring in the English Premier League, English Championship, Italian Serie A, German Bundesliga, English WSL, NWSL, and MLS, along with players from academies such as LAFC, LA Galaxy and Inter Miami.

Culwell’s development philosophy emphasizes cognitive speed, tactical understanding, technical execution, creativity and decision-making under pressure.

Culwell resides in the Fresno area with his wife Hannah, and the couple are expecting their first child in the fall of 2026.