Mark Trakh, the former coach at USC and Pepperdine, who has been linked to job openings at USF and Oregon State in recent months, was hired as the associate head coach at San Diego State.

Mark Trakh

Trakh left USC at the end of the 2009 season after going 90-64 over five seasons. His tenure there was considered a success, but was also characterized by a devastating spate of injuries to top recruits such as Jacki Gemelos and Stephanie Gilbreath. Trakh led the Women of Troy to two NCAA appearances.

Trakh spent 11 years at Pepperdine from 1993-2004, going 199-123 and winning four conference titles.

Trakh declined an interview request Tuesday.

Trakh left USC after his contract ran out at the end of the 2008-09 season. He has been in the mix for jobs at Hawaii, USF and was mentioned as a candidate for the Oregon State opening before accepting this position.

SDSU head coach Beth Burns, whose team reached the NCAA Sweet 16 this season, said she hired Trakh because of his experience working with young players.

“We really like the talent level of our 2010-11 team,” Burns said in a statement. “We are short on experience, however and expect all five newcomers to compete for playing time this season. With that in mind, we chose to go after the absolute best teacher we could find to contribute to our program right now. Fortunately for us, that coach will be Mark Trakh.”

The Aztecs will be filling some big roles next fall with the departure of guards Jene Morris to the WNBA and Quenese Davis.

San Diego State shook up the NCAA bracket in March by defeating Texas and West Virginia to reach the Sweet 16 before falling to Duke.