Longtime assistant Michelle Myers has been named head coach of the LMU women’s soccer program, Lions’ Athletics Director Dr. Bill Husak announced Friday. Myers become the fifth head coach in the program’s 19-year history, replacing Joe Mallia who recently resigned the position to join the women’s soccer coaching staff at the University of Tennessee.

“This past week, my staff and I had the chance to speak with Michelle about becoming the head coach for our program,” Dr. Husak said. “We all feel that not only is she ready for the opportunity, but that she will be very successful. Her recruiting contacts, coaching skills, work ethic and loyalty are tremendous assets. Through the years she has also maintained strong relationships with past and current players, families and those in the soccer world. I am excited at the prospect of Michelle leading the program and winning championships in the future while maintaining our academic and personal development commitment to our student-athletes.”

Myers has been a mainstay of the LMU coaching staff for well over a decade, joining the program as an assistant coach in 1996. She helped the program to its first NCAA College Cup appearance in 2002 and consistently signing some of the best recruiting classes in the nation. The 2006 entering class was ranked 28th nationally by Soccer Buzz, giving LMU one of the top 50 incoming classes for the fifth straight year, and followed through with the program's second NCAA tournament berth in 2006.

“I am honored to be given this opportunity as head coach by Dr. Husak and Dr. Lane Bove,” said Myers. “LMU is a very special place and it has been a part of me for many, many years now. It is my home and it is my family. I have been fortunate to coach alongside two great coaches in my time here, Gregg Murphy and Joe Mallia, and I look forward to building upon their success.  I am excited for what lies ahead and for what next year’s team and those after will accomplish both on and off the field.”

Myers has been an active member of the Cal South Olympic Development Program (ODP) since 1996. Myers has led her teams to 10 ODP regional championships and three national titles.

Prior to joining the LMU staff, Myers served one year as head coach of the women's program at Rancho Santiago Community College in Santa Ana. She inherited the program in its second year of existence and led a youthful squad to a 9-10-1 overall record in 1995.

Before moving to the college ranks, Myers spent three seasons guiding one of the top prep girl's soccer programs in Southern California at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana. Under her helm (1992-95), the Monarchs amassed a three-year record of 46-20-11, including back-to-back South Coast League Championships in 1994 and 1995. In addition, Myers led the team to a CIF semifinal appearance in 1994 and a quarterfinal trip in 1995.

Before taking over the varsity program, Myers guided Mater Dei's junior varsity team to the 1990 and 1991 Angeles League Championships while compiling an overall record of 39-5-2. Her first taste of coaching came in the dual role of junior varsity head coach and varsity assistant coach at Los Altos High School in the S.F. Bay Area.

An outstanding collegiate player, Myers played four seasons at Santa Clara. As a senior, she helped the Broncos to a 10-4-3 overall record and a No. 17 national ranking, the first national ranking in program history. In her four seasons (1984-87) at SCU, the team totaled an overall record of 46-17-10.

Myers is a 1988 magna cum laude graduate of Santa Clara University with a bachelor's of science degree in combined sciences.