After completing his 20th season with Logger women’s soccer and earning the program’s 15th Northwest Conference Championship in 2015 (14 of them consecutively), Head Coach Randy Hanson announced that he is retiring Puget Sound effective the end of January.
“Randy is one of the most respected women’s soccer coaches in the country, and we are grateful to have been a beneficiary of his coaching talents for so many years,” said Director of Athletics Amy Hackett. “His capacity to develop life skills and character in his players has generated a large generation of alumnae of whom Puget Sound is proud.”
The program has experienced unparalleled success under Hanson’s guidance, including a 303-74-36 overall record. Hanson earned his 300th career victory during the 2015 campaign. In 2015 the Loggers finished 17-0-5, advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Loggers have also made deep runs in the NCAA Tournament under Hanson, compiling a record of 16-10-6 in the tournament and advancing to the national championship game in 2004.
Hanson led the Loggers to four Northwest Conference (NWC) titles in five years, from 2000-2005, before taking a year off to work as co-director of soccer training with Manchester United Soccer Schools. He returned to Puget Sound in 2006 and has led the Loggers to the NWC title every year since his return. Hanson has coached 11 All-Americans, 73 All-Region selections, and 72 All-NWC First Team selections. He has also mentored 17 NWC Players of the Year.
“This is one of the hardest decisions I have ever made,” Hanson said. “I cannot possibly articulate how grateful I am to the entire Puget Sound community, our student-athletes, colleagues, and administration. I have spent most of my adult working life at Puget Sound building rewarding relationships with our players, families, and alumni.
"The talent and character of the women I was so fortunate to coach are indescribable. I could not be more satisfied with my experience, and the opportunities afforded me as part of the Logger family. I will also be forever indebted to our three longtime assistant coaches who have been such an integral part of the success of women’s soccer over the years, Kelly Bendixen '90, Dan Keene, and Maya Mendoza Exstrom '03.”
Hanson has diverse coaching experiences outside of his work at Puget Sound, including serving as an assistant coach for the United States U20 Women’s National Team and five years as an assistant coach for the Seattle Sounders women's team.
Puget Sound will commence a comprehensive search for a new head women’s soccer coach immediately.
For more information about Loggers Athletics, visit loggerathletics.com.
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