BYU head coach Jennifer Rockwood to retire at the end of 2026 NCAA season

PROVO, Utah — After more than three decades leading the BYU women’s soccer program, Jennifer Rockwood announced she will retire in December following the 2026 NCAA season.

“It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent Brigham Young University and to lead this program since its inception,” said Rockwood. “Watching this team grow from its humble beginnings on the club level to competing on the biggest stages in college soccer has been a journey I will always cherish. Most importantly, I am grateful for the hundreds of young women who have worn the BYU jersey and allowed me to be a part of their lives. While this will be my final season, my focus remains entirely on this incredible group of student-athletes and our goals for 2026.”

Rockwood came to BYU in 1985 as a player on the women’s soccer club team and was hired as head coach after graduating in 1988. She led the club program for seven seasons before guiding its transition to NCAA Division I status in 1995. Over the next three decades, Rockwood guided BYU women’s soccer into one of the nation’s most consistent programs, serving as the program’s only head coach while compiling one of the most successful coaching records in Division I soccer.

“Jennifer Rockwood is BYU women’s soccer,” said BYU Director of Athletics Brian Santiago. “It is rare in modern sports to see a program built, nurtured and sustained by a single individual for over 30 years. Her competitive drive is only matched by her commitment to the mission of this university and the personal growth of her players. We look forward to celebrating Jennifer and her contributions to BYU throughout this farewell season.”

Rockwood’s tenure is defined by unprecedented consistency and excellence. As the only BYU women’s soccer head coach in program history, she has established herself as one of the premier coaches in Division I soccer history. Through 31 NCAA seasons, Rockwood has recorded more than 470 victories, ranking among the top 10 winningest coaches in NCAA Division I history and standing as the winningest active female head coach.

Under her guidance, the Cougars have made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a historic run to the National Championship game in 2021 and a College Cup Semifinal appearance in 2023. Rockwood has led BYU to 29 winning seasons and 19 final top-25 rankings.

The Lake Oswego, Oregon native has won 17 regular-season titles and nine conference tournament championships across the WAC, MWC, WCC and Big 12 conferences, including BYU’s first Big 12 tournament title last season. Rockwood has mentored 24 All-Americans, 13 Academic All-Americans and nine MAC Hermann Trophy candidates. She has seen 18 former players go professional and nine players who have represented the United States at the U-20 level or higher.

Rockwood has earned numerous coaching honors throughout her career, including seven Conference Coach of the Year awards across three leagues and two West Region Coach of the Year selections. Following BYU’s run to its first NCAA College Cup final in 2021, Rockwood and her staff were named the NCAA Division I Women’s Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches. She was also recognized as the Governor’s State of Sport Women’s Coach of the Year, while her staff and teams received additional regional and statewide honors for their achievements on and off the field.

Long before the bright lights of the Big 12, Rockwood began her coaching journey in 1989, leading the BYU club team. In the final two years as a club team, Rockwood guided BYU to a Western National Collegiate Club Soccer Association championship and a runner-up finish at the NCCSA Championships.

When BYU elevated women’s soccer to NCAA Division I status in 1995, Rockwood remained at the helm and quickly established the Cougars as a national contender. She led the team to its first top-25 ranking in just its third NCAA season in 1997. Her high-press style became a hallmark of the program, consistently ranking BYU among the nation’s leaders in scoring and attendance at South Field.

The 2026 season will serve as a celebration of Rockwood’s career, with special tributes planned for the Cougars’ home matches at South Field. A national search for the program’s next head coach will begin following the 2026 NCAA soccer tournament in December.