Utah women’s soccer coach Rich Manning is stepping down after 19 seasons leading the program, Utah Athletics 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.
He lis leaving to pursue other opportunities, according to a school press release.
“After 19 years, it’s time for a new adventure,” Manning said in a 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.”
Manning departs after compiling a career record of 192-144-53 at Utah. The Utes finished the pandemic-shortened 2021 season with a 4-9-3 record. They finished 8-9-4 in 2019, 9-8-2 in 2018 and 5-11-3 in 2017.
Manning has developed professional and international players at Utah, including an All-American and 27 NSCAA All-Region players. During his tenure, Manning has coached 54 all-conference selections, including 24 first-teamers, 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,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. “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.”
Manning has led Utah to an NSCAA Team Academic Award every season since 2009 — the longest streak of any conference team. Utah also 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.
