BYU women's soccer coaches named 2021 National Staff of the Year

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The BYU women's soccer coaching staff has been named the 2021 NCAA DI Women's Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches, the organization announced on Friday.

Jennifer Rockwood just completed her 27th season as head coach at BYU and is coming off of her 22nd NCAA Tournament appearance. BYU's staff, composed of Rockwood, assistant coach Brent Anderson, assistant coach Steve Magleby, volunteer assistant Madie Gates, administrative assistant Rachel Jorgensen and director of sports medicine Carolyn Billings, led the team to a 2021 WCC Championship title and BYU's first-ever NCAA College Cup appearance this season. 

"Jen and her staff are so deserving of this incredible recognition," said Liz Darger, BYU senior associate athletic director and soccer sport administrator. "Throughout the season, even through some early setbacks, they kept their student-athletes at the center and didn’t waver from their high expectations and goals. Jen, Brent, Steve, Madie, Rachel and Carolyn each understand their unique, important role on the staff and complement each other beautifully. It has been a joy to watch their journey this year."

The staff blazed a trail this season, taking the Cougars all the way to the national championship game in the College Cup. BYU battled with Florida State through regulation and two overtime periods but fell to the Seminoles in penalty kicks. BYU finished No. 1 in multiple categories following the 2021 season, securing the top spot in scoring offense, with an average of 3.50 goals per game. The Cougars also scored the most goals in the country this season, with 77 total goals. Additionally, BYU had the nation's highest tally of corner kicks with 226, averaging 9.42 per game.

The BYU women's soccer coaching staff was also named the 2021 West Regional Staff of the Year by the United Soccer Coaches ahead of BYU's appearance in the College Cup. They will be honored at the United Soccer Coaches Awards Banquet on Jan. 21, 2022 at the Kansas City Convention Center in conjunction with the United Soccer Coaches Convention.