SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, April 22, 2021 (Gephardt Daily) — University of Utah women’s soccer head coach Rich Manning will step down from his position to pursue other opportunities, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan announced Thursday.
Manning has been the head coach of Utah’s program since 2002 and has compiled a career record of 192-144-53. His teams have competed in the NCAA Tournament eight times in his 19 seasons as head coach, including in each of his first five seasons, from 2002-06, a statement from the U says.
“After 19 years, it’s time for a new adventure,” Manning said via the statement. “It’s been a privilege to be the women’s soccer coach at the University of Utah. I’m proud of the way we played the game and how our teams represented the University. I want to give a huge thanks to the great people in the department.”
Manning thanked his staff members, saying he would always be grateful for their work. “and I’m person for having worked with them. Big thanks to my family, especially my wife Sue. Most of all I want to thank all of the wonderful women who have put on the Utah jersey and given their all for the Utes. They are the best of college athletics. I look forward to watching the team shine in the future.”
Manning has produced professional and international players at Utah and helped develop an All-American and 27 NSCAA All-Region players. During his tenure, Manning has coached 54 all-conference selections, including 24 first-team selection, and has coached three conference offensive players of the year, two defensive players of the year and three freshmen of the year.
“I want to thank Rich for his contributions to our program over his 19 years as head coach,” Harlan said. “I am appreciative of the dedicated service Rich has provided to our program and his commitment to the well-being of our student-athletes in their academic and athletic pursuits, as well as their personal development.”
In the classroom, Manning has led Utah to an NSCAA Team Academic Award every season since 2009 – the longest streak of any conference team. Utah has earned 18 United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Awards, more than any other Pac-12 school. Since joining the Pac-12 in 2011, Utah’s program has had 111 conference all-academic selections, and Manning has coached five NSCAA Scholar All-Americans and 18 All-Region honorees.
“Rich has positively impacted the lives of many young people in our women’s soccer program during his time at Utah, and we wish him and his family all the best. A national search, led by Deputy Athletics Director Charmelle Green and Assoc. A.D. Liz Prince, will begin immediately to identify a new head coach for our program to continue to build on the foundation Rich has built, and to position our team for greater success in the future.”
