Bill Moos, Cougar Director of Athletics, named Steve Nugent as the new head soccer coach at the Washington State University, WSU.
Nugent spent the last three seasons as the head coach at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro, UNCG. In 2012, the Massachusetts native led the Bulldogs to the Southern Conference regular season title. The team advanced to the NCAA postseason in 2008 and 2009.
Moos said that it is very difficult process for any coach to retain success once it has been achieved. "I am confident Steve Nugent is the ideal choice to maintain one of the premier women's soccer programs in the Pac-12. His experience, an upgraded facility and quality student-athletes put us in a great position to meet and exceed the goals we have set," Moos said in a statement.
As the sixth head soccer coach in the program's history, Nugent hopes to build on the success established by his predecessors. "With the returning group of student-athletes, an improved facility and the Pac-12 Networks exposure, this is a tremendous opportunity for my family and me."
The Cougars made an appearance of five times at the NCAA Championship in the last six seasons and advanced to the second round in 2009 and 2011. The team finished the last season as a runner-up in the Pac-12 Conference.
Prior to UNCG, Nugent, a 1996 graduate of Florida Atlantic, worked as an assistant coach at Rice (2001) and Georgia (2008-11). His other assignments include serving as the volunteer assistant for the Fighting Panthers. Under his tenure, the team secured 1994 and 1995 NAIA national championships and was named runner-ups in the 1996 NCAA Division II Championship.
