Andrew Aiello: The Long Game

Published on Oct 7 2026

Andrew Aiello was new to Humboldt County in the summer of 2016, arriving with a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with an emphasis on juvenile delinquency from Cal State San Marcos.

He lived on the floor of a childhood buddy’s apartment; his suitcase served as his closet.

He earned just $3,000 that year as an assistant coach for College of the Redwoods.

Originally from Oceanside, California, and the youngest of five children, Andrew learned early how much a person’s environment can shape the direction of their life.

Growing up, playing sports wasn’t just an option. It was a way of life.

“When I was growing up, it was kind of two choices. You either kind of went and gang banged or you went the sports route. I’m incredibly thankful to my parents and siblings, who have been the best role models I could ask for. I get my work ethic and drive from my parents.”

After high school, he spent about a year and a half playing rookie league baseball before returning home and enrolling at Palomar College, where he planned to play football.

But things shifted. Andrew went from player to coach when he redshirted at Palomar and was asked to help coach at his former high school.

“I just kind of fell in love with it,” Andrew said. “It’s fun to work with a kid and either teach them something new or help them improve on something that maybe they’ve been working on, or they didn’t even know they could improve.”

About two years after arriving at CR, and after many encouraging conversations with Bob Brown, Andrew enrolled in the sports administration master’s program at Arkansas State University.

He completed the program online while continuing to work and coach at CR.

And on that same floor where he slept, he earned a master’s degree from Arkansas State University.

It is an experience he still shares with CR student-athletes today.

“As hard as things might seem at the moment, just keep working hard and keep your head down and things will work out.”

Today, ten years later, Andrew is still at College of the Redwoods, where he serves as CR’s Athletics Program Coordinator.

Over those ten years, Andrew has also seen something else develop within CR Athletics: relationships.

“I think just the closeness and that togetherness and that kind of family or brotherhood or sisterhood, whatever you want to call it, that we do obtain, again, in a short amount of time, is pretty cool to see,” he said.

Andrew has experienced that same support during his own time at CR.

He credits Bob with encouraging him to earn his master’s degree and says Nate Kees has been alongside him throughout much of his journey.

“He has helped me a lot, personally, professionally, and he’s always been like my right-hand man,” Andrew said of Nate. “I know I couldn’t do and get to where I’m at right now without Nate. I know that for sure.”

That support goes both ways.

“The most important aspect about Andrew is that he would give the shirt off his back for you,” said Nate, CR’s Head Athletic Trainer. “He understands the struggle we are all under; he pays very close attention to the specifics of all of our responsibilities, and his, but if he respects your grind, he will show up for you.”

Nate said Andrew’s transition from coaching into his current position has allowed him to become someone who works not only with CR’s coaches and staff, but with student-athletes throughout the department.

“He is kind of like me, the in-between-dude that interacts with all of our student-athletes but also our coaching staff,” Nate said. “I am glad he made the decision to make the transition from coaching to his current position. He has made a tremendous difference in this role for Athletics.”

Athletic Director Ryan Bisio sees that impact as well.

“Andrew takes great pride in the quality of his work,” Ryan said. “When he was coaching, and in his current role, Andrew models every day what it looks like to work hard, be organized, and do the little things to help the team be successful. Everybody who works with Andrew can feel his passion for CR Athletics and see how it directly impacts the student-athlete experience.”

The apartment floor, the suitcase and the $3,000 coaching job are more than pieces of Andrew’s story. They’re part of why, ten years later, he understands just how much an opportunity, and the people behind it, can change someone’s direction.

And we’re extremely lucky to have Andrew as part of our CR family.