While many look to the transfer portal for moves that could shape the upcoming college soccer seasons, Texas made a gigantic splash with one of the most impressive coaching hires in NCAA history by signing Margueritte Bates (Aozasa) from UCLA. Billed as one of the best young coaches in the sport, the 35-year-old became the first rookie head coach to win an NCAA Division I women’s soccer title when she reached the summit with the Bruins in 2022. Under Bates, the Big Ten program became a perennial top-5 program on the field and the recruiting trail.

The move follows Texas deciding to part ways with Angela Kelly, who led the program for 13 years. Kelly achieved multiple top-ranked recruiting classes, two Sweet Sixteen appearances, a BIG 12 & SEC tournament title, and coached 2023 TDS Player of the Year Lexi Missimo. However, a record-low four-win season prompted the athletic department to seek a new direction.

It is still unclear whether Kelly will remain in collegiate coaching, while Bates will be challenged to turn a promising core that includes SEC Freshman of the Year Ava McDonald into an impactful force that will hopefully push the program toward its first College Cup appearance in the coming years.

Click here to view the other NCAA DI coaching changes so far.

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