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Steve Nugent is entering his third year as head women’s soccer coach at UNCG. He was named to the position on Feb. 1, 2011.
In 2012, Nugent led the Spartans to their ninth SoCon regular season championship compiling a 12-7-1 record that included a 9-1-1 conference mark. UNCG continued its road dominance under Nugent having won 21-straight road contests in conference play.
The Blue and Gold placed seven players on the All-Conference teams in Cat Barnekow (first team), Lauren Hein (second team), Karin Sendel (second team), Stephanie Partenheimer (second team), Jamie Simmons (second team), Chesney White (freshman team) and Katherine Rodriguez (freshman team).
Nugent also has helped the program earn the National Soccer Coaches Association of America's Team Academic Award for the 11th straight season at UNCG.
In 2011, Nugent guided the Spartans to a 8-10-1 record, including a 7-3-1 mark that placed second in the Southern Conference. UNCG was 6-1 on the road with victories against George Mason (W, 4-1), Georgia Southern (W, 2-1), Davidson (W, 1-0), The Citadel (W, 4-2), College of Charleston (W, 2-1) and Western Carolina (W, 2-0). The Blue and Gold had a perfect 5-0 record in the SoCon on the road.
The Spartans also placed five players on the All-Conference teams in Kristin Player (first team), Karin Sendel (second team), Kelsey Kerney (second team), Stephanie Partenheimer (second team) and Ashley Stokes (freshmen team).
Nugent, formerly an assistant coach at the University of Georgia, is the third head coach in school history. He took over for longtime UNCG coach Eddie Radwanski, who left in December 2010 to become Clemson’s head coach.
With more than 21 years of coaching experience at various levels to his credit, Nugent is noted for his eye for talent and has helped three different teams to four NCAA tournament berths. He was also on staff for a pair of NAIA national title-winning teams. In addition, he’s had a hand in developing several full national team members from various countries.
“Steve Nugent brings a passion and work ethic to the Spartan soccer program which will complement our already strong foundation,” UNCG Director of Athletics Kim Record said upon hiring Nugent. “He has learned from many great coaches and taught many players who have had significant college, professional and national team success.”
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| The Nugents: Steve, Janna, Trevor, Brady and Connor. |
From 2007-10, Nugent helped Georgia to a combined 37-23-6 record and a pair of NCAA tournament appearances. An assistant coach working with the goalkeepers and defense, he also coordinated team travel and the budget. During Nugent’s tenure in Athens, Ga., the Bulldogs finished in the top 25 twice and spent several weeks in the rankings this season. He mentored former Georgia keeper Michelle Betos, who finished her career first in school history in wins and second in single-season saves. Georgia had 10 all-region selections in his tenure.
Prior to working at Georgia, Nugent spent the previous six years as the director of coaching for Team Boca in Boca Raton, Fla., and was named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/adidas Girls Youth Competitive Division South Region Coach of the Year in 2005. Taking into account his 11-year tenure with Team Boca from 1989-2000, Nugent helped Team Boca to a combined 15 state championships in his two stints with the club. It was there that Nugent helped develop nine girls who would go on to be national team members for their respective countries.
Between stints with Team Boca, Nugent helped build Rice University’s first-ever program from 2001-02. An assistant for the Owls, Nugent helped Rice qualify for the Western Athletic Conference tournament in its first year of competition.
Prior to working at Rice, Nugent was a graduate assistant at Florida State in 2000 and 2001. There, he helped the Seminoles to their first-ever NCAA berth, a trip to the NCAA round of 16 and the school’s first postseason national ranking.
From 1994-97, Nugent was a volunteer assistant coach at Lynn University in Boca Raton. The Fighting Knights were highly successful during Nugent’s tenure, winning NAIA national titles in 1994 and 1995 and finishing as the NCAA Division II runner-up in 1996.
Nugent holds an NSCAA Advanced National Diploma with Distinction, a U.S. Soccer “B” License and a US Youth Soccer National Youth License. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Florida Atlantic in 1996.
Nugent and his wife, Janna, have three young sons: Trevor, Brady and Connor.
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What they’re saying about Steve Nugent:
“Steve was an intricate part of my development as a soccer player and had a way of always making me excel in every area of my game. It was during my years of playing for him that I gained a greater knowledge of the game that set me up to play at the highest level. Steve is not just a coach, he is a great person and cares about the well-being of his players. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to play for him.”
- Nandi Pryce, former member of the U.S. National Team
“The hiring of Steve Nugent is an excellent move by the UNC Greensboro administration. Eddie [Radwanski] did a fantastic job there of building UNCG into one of the powers of the South. I think Steve was the right person to come in and be able to continue that program moving in the right direction.”
- Robbie Church, Duke head coach
“Steve is quite simply a tremendous coach. He has a great ability to create a positive student-athlete experience where players are both pushed and supported in their goals, individually and collectively. Steve’s players love playing for him, and with good reason.”
- Jon Lipsitz, Kentucky head coach
“Steve has an extensive background as both a club and college coach. He brings a rare perspective to the game and should be a successful recruiter immediately. His passion for the game will be contagious to his players. Coach Nugent cares about his players and genuinely wants them to be successful both on and off the field.”
- Mark Krikorian, Florida State head coach
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