The University of Maryland has hired Jonathan Morgan as head coach for its women's soccer program, Athletics Director Kevin Anderson announced Friday. Morgan, who helped lead the Terrapin team to three-straight NCAA tournament appearances, succeeds Brian Pensky who resigned in January.

"Coach Morgan is an experienced and successful coach who has helped elevate this program to among the nation's elite over the past five seasons," said Anderson. "His passion for this University, this program and its student-athletes was evident and made him the clear choice to lead Maryland women's soccer."

Morgan has served as an assistant coach with Terrapins for the past five seasons and helped lead a resurgence that saw the Terps earn two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 (2009, 2011), the program's first-ever No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament (2010) and a berth in the ACC tournament championship game (2010).

"First, I want to thank Kevin Anderson, Nate Pine, and the search committee for providing me with this opportunity to lead the Maryland women's soccer program," said Morgan. "This program has had a history of great coaches and I am honored to be selected as Maryland's next head coach. I look forward to building upon the excellence and tradition that has been established. We have an outstanding group of student-athletes here and I'm so excited about the opportunity to lead them in accomplishing the academic and athletic goals they came to the University of Maryland to achieve.

"I'm also pleased to be able to continue working with Laurie George, who will remain with the coaching staff. Not only is Laurie one of the preeminent goalkeeping coaches in the country, but she is also a terrific and energetic person that is a vital part of this program. The continuity of our staff and our players continued commitment to being great will allow Maryland women's soccer to continue to move forward in its pursuit of reaching excellence in women's college soccer." 

In the five seasons Morgan served as an assistant coach at Maryland, the Terrapins boasted a record of 57-33-13 (.617), including a mark of 44-14-9 (.724) over the last three seasons, while playing in the nation's premier women's soccer conference.

Morgan was instrumental in recruiting the incoming 2012 freshman class, which was ranked No. 5 in the nation by TopDrawerSoccer.com and includes two state Gatorade Players of the Year. He also led the recruiting effort for the 2008 freshman class, which was ranked No. 14 in the nation and featured All-American Jasmyne Spencer and Ashley Grove, who each finished among the top 10 in career goals and points at Maryland.

During his five seasons as a Terrapin assistant, Morgan has been primarily responsible for coordinating and training the team's defense, which included 2010 ACC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Caitlin McDowell. He also helped coordinate the overall administration of the program, including academic support, scheduling, maintaining the operating budget, equipment, financial aid and fundraising.

Morgan also serves as the head coach of the Bethesda Soccer Club U17 girls, which is currently ranked No. 3 in the nation by Gotsoccer.com. During his tenure with BSC, Morgan has coached several players who have gone on to play with U.S. Youth National and USYSA Regional Teams.

Prior to coming to College Park, Morgan spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Ohio State (2005-06) where he was primarily responsible for recruiting and working with the Buckeyes' offensive attack. Under Morgan's tutelage the Buckeyes finished third in the Big Ten in points per game with a 4.84 ppg average.

The 2006 Buckeyes boasted the Big Ten conference's statistical individual leader in goals, goals per game, points per game, assists and assists per game in Lara Dickenmann, a two-time NSCAA All-American.

While in Columbus, Ohio, Morgan was the head coach of the Ohio Premier (OP) U15 girls club team.

Prior to coaching at Ohio State, Morgan spent three seasons as a volunteer coach at Rutgers, where he helped the Scarlet Knights to postseason appearances in 2002, '03 and '04. Among his responsibilities were assisting the coaching staff in developing and organizing all individual and team training sessions, as well as helping with recruiting, including the planning and directing of all official visits. During his tenure at Rutgers, Morgan helped coach Carli Loyd, a three-time NSCAA All-American, four-time first team All-Big East selection and full U.S. National Team player.

From 2001-05 Morgan was a staff coach for the Players Development Academy (PDA). During his time at PDA he coached four different teams between the ages of U12-U18. He had the privilege of coaching more than 40 future Division I student-athletes, three U.S. Youth National Team players and 10 USYSA regional team players.

A native of Dover, Del., Morgan was a four-year starter at Rowan College in Glassboro, N.J., serving as team captain his senior season with the Profs. After he finished his playing career, he broke into the college coaching ranks with his alma mater in 1995, helping the Rowan men's team to a 17-1-3 mark, a No. 4 national ranking and an appearance in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

He has also been involved with the Olympic Development Programs in Delaware and New Jersey, leading the New Jersey ODP girl's U-17 team to the Region 1 ODP championship in 2001. The team earned a trip to the ODP National championships and placed third. During his time with the New Jersey ODP program, Morgan helped coach U.S. Women's National Team players Heather O'Reilly and Jillian Loyden.

Morgan's ODP experience also includes being a part of the USYSA Region 1 staff from 2002-05.

A USSF "B" licensed and KNVB Dutch Certificate coach, Morgan graduated from Rowan in 1996 with a bachelor's degree in law/justice. He currently resides in Laurel, Md.

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