Longtime scout Jerry Penkala, owner and operator of JTF Academy, has compiled a list of some of the best college soccer coaches in the country. This list comes from more than 15 years of direct experience in the recruiting world — watching these coaches and their programs closely, studying how they evaluate talent, build teams, and develop players on and off the field.
The list below is not intended as a definitive rankings list, but as a recognition of some of the best, among many great coaches in the current NCAA DI landscape. Inclusions reflect observed recruiting styles, player development, tactical approaches, culture-building, and consistent results that stand out when you see the process up close over many seasons.
Randy and Ben Waldrum – Pittsburgh
A true coaching legend, Randy Waldrum brings a National Championship pedigree from Notre Dame, plus experience as head coach of the Houston Dash and international sides including World Cup-level work with Nigeria. He completely transformed the Pitt program after arriving in late 2017, turning a struggling side into a consistent ACC contender with multiple NCAA appearances, including an Elite Eight run. Last year he transitioned the head coaching reins to his talented son Ben ( after years as associate head coach, and talented in his own right), while remaining deeply involved as technical director—focused on roster construction, scouting, game planning, and player development. In my experience, the Waldrums stand out not only as elite coaches but as the pair who most genuinely change college athletes for life through their holistic approach and genuine care for each and every player they coach.
Katie Shields – Saint Louis University
Katie has single-handedly built a consistent Top-15-caliber program by recruiting specifically to her style of play. Her teams outwork virtually every opponent with fast, feisty, highly technical, and creative athletes who are often shorter in stature yet relentless and a nightmare to play against thanks to their work rate and technical sharpness. Now in her 14th season with a strong winning percentage and multiple A-10 titles plus deep NCAA runs, she has proven the model works year after year through targeted, culture-fitting recruiting.
Aaron Rodgers – Ohio University
Aaron has elevated the Bobcats without relying on a steady stream of high-profile top-10 recruits. He builds a genuine family, team-first atmosphere and operates as a true players’ coach, while his deep tactical knowledge and game understanding consistently give his sides an edge. The result includes program milestones such as the first MAC Tournament title and NCAA appearance, showing how culture and coaching acumen can outperform pure talent rankings.
Brian Pensky – Florida State
Pensky stepped into one of the most successful programs in the country and has continued its dominance, delivering national championships (including recent titles) and elite ACC results while maintaining the high standard of player development and competitiveness expected at FSU. His ability to manage transitions, retain talent, and keep the machine running at a championship level stands out.
Nate Lie – Kansas
In his second head-coaching stint, Nate has done at Kansas exactly what he accomplished at Xavier: rapidly building a perennial Top-15 program. His recruiting is extremely detailed, patient, and strict—he knows precisely the profile he wants for each positional need in a given cycle. The Jayhawks have already secured Big 12 tournament success and consecutive NCAA appearances under him. He possesses every characteristic needed to win a national championship, and that happening feels closer rather than later.
Erica Dambach – Penn State
Entering her 19th year at Penn State, Erica has been the definition of consistency, with a national title, multiple Big Ten championships, and long NCAA tournament streaks. Working alongside one of the best recruiting assistants in the country, Tim Wassell, they routinely assemble one of the top recruiting classes in the nation—not according to social-media rankings, but by the judgment of other D1 coaches and by what you see with your own eyes when those recruits compete at the ECNL/GA level.
Tim Ward – Pepperdine
Another women’s soccer legend, Tim is entering his 29th season at Pepperdine. Longtime assistant (now associate head coach) Max Rooke, entering his 13th season, partners with him in a consistently patient, thorough, and detailed recruiting process that lands precisely the type of player they want—both on the field and as people. The result is sustained excellence, multiple WCC titles, and regular NCAA appearances over decades.
Jeff Hosler – Michigan State
Hosler has quickly rewritten the standards at Michigan State, delivering Big Ten titles, consecutive Sweet 16 appearances, and the program’s first Elite Eight while posting one of the strongest career winning percentages among active D1 coaches. His track record of elevating programs at previous stops and building competitive, high-character teams translates directly into sustained success in the Big Ten
Kia McNeill – Brown
She has restored Brown to Ivy League dominance with multiple consecutive titles, NCAA appearances, and strong player development. Her program consistently competes at a high level within the constraints of Ivy athletics through sharp recruiting and culture.
Brooks Monaghan – Memphis
A long-tenured builder who has turned Memphis into a consistent national contender with multiple conference titles, deep NCAA runs (including Sweet 16s), and high win totals. His staff’s repeated regional coaching honors reflect a sustainable, high-performing model.
Jimmy Walker – Creighton
In a relatively short time at Creighton after successful stops elsewhere (including MAC titles at Bowling Green), he has guided the Bluejays to consistent BIG EAST tournament appearances while emphasizing culture and experienced talent addition.
Andrew Burr – Furman
One of the winningest coaches in Southern Conference history, Burr has delivered multiple SoCon titles and NCAA appearances over two decades as head coach. His program emphasizes the right fit for Furman both athletically and academically
Margueritte Bates – Texas
Fresh off a highly-successful tenure at UCLA that included a National Championship as a first-year head coach, Bates brings proven championship pedigree, elite recruiting, and roster-building skill to Texas as she begins her new chapter in the SEC.
Nikki Izzo-Brown – West Virginia
The only coach the WVU program has ever known, she is entering her 31st season with a massive win total and decades of sustained success. Her longevity and consistent ability to develop competitive teams in a Power conference stand as rare achievements.
Nicole Van Dyke – Washington
Van Dyke has elevated the Huskies to recent Big Ten regular-season and tournament success, an Elite Eight appearance, and strong defensive identities. Her contract extension reflects the stability and upward trajectory she has established.
Shelley and Jamie Smith – South Carolina
A staple in the Southeast, the married coaching duo of Shelley (head coach) and Jamie (associate head coach) has kept South Carolina competitive for decades, with multiple SEC titles, deep NCAA runs (including a College Cup), and a family-oriented culture that produces consistent results.
These coaches and staffs stand out for how they recruit, develop, and compete when observed over years rather than single seasons or rankings alone. Their approaches produce not just wins, but lasting impact on players.
RISING STARS – YOUNG, TALENTED HEAD COACHES TO KEEP AN EYE ON
Shannon Grogan – Drexel
Named head coach in December 2025, Shannon is stepping into her first head-coaching role after a highly successful run as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Stony Brook (on staff since 2018). There she helped the Seawolves capture CAA regular-season and tournament titles, reach the NCAA Tournament, and develop multiple All-CAA and regional honorees. A former Stony Brook player and captain herself, she brings intimate knowledge of the CAA landscape and a player-centered, high-energy approach. Early staff hires and recruiting activity already signal she is building something competitive in Philadelphia.
Chris Allen – Marquette
Entering his third season as head coach (hired January 2024), Chris arrived after eight highly productive years at Saint Louis under Katie Shields, where he rose to associate head coach and recruiting coordinator. At SLU he contributed to five A-10 regular-season titles, six tournament championships, six straight NCAA appearances, and the development of numerous All-Americans and all-conference players. At Marquette he has focused on culture (including distinctive team traditions and a leadership council) and identity while steadily reshaping the roster and staff. His combination of elite-program experience and deliberate, people-first coaching points to a strong future in the BIG EAST.
Will Roberts – Old Dominion
Hired in late 2025 after three seasons as head coach at ULM, Will is new to the ODU program but already arrives with proven results. At Louisiana Monroe he posted a 31-13-15 record, won the 2025 Sun Belt regular-season title, earned Sun Belt Coach of the Year honors, and coached the conference Player of the Year while reaching the league championship game. A former standout player at Charleston with a high-performance, player-development mindset, he brings momentum and a championship pedigree that should translate quickly in the Sun Belt.
Colleen Corbin – Kansas State
In just her second season (hired December 2024), Colleen delivered the first winning record in K-State program history in 2025, setting dozens of school records for wins, goals, shutouts, and more. She previously served as associate head coach at Saint Louis, head coach at Wyoming (Mountain West Coach of the Year), and in NWSL and other D1 roles. Her high-energy, culture-driven style and rapid turnaround already mark her as one of the brighter young program-builders in the Big 12.
Jane Alukonis – USC
Still early in her head-coaching career (fifth season in 2026), Jane has already guided USC to a program-best winning percentage, an undefeated Big Ten regular-season title in the conference’s debut year, a No. 1 NCAA seed, and multiple All-Americans and conference players of the year. A former Duke player and UCLA assistant, she combines youthful energy with proven success at the highest levels and continues to elevate the Trojans.
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These coaches share a common thread: strong assistant or mid-major head-coaching pedigrees, clear vision for culture and recruiting, and early evidence that they can raise the ceiling of their programs. They are ones to keep a close eye on in the coming seasons.
Contact the author, Jerry Penkala at [email protected]
