Gophers head soccer coach Mikki Denney Wright has resigned to spend more time with her family, the team said Tuesday.
Denney Wright coached Minnesota from 2004-2011, compiling a 91-60-14 record. She led the Gophers to the 2008 Big Ten championship as well as the program’s only NCAA Sweet 16 appearances in 2008 and 2010.
“After 14 years as a college coach, I have decided to step away to spend more time with my two young boys, Forrest and Duke,” Denney Wright said in a release. “It was an honor to coach at the University of Minnesota. I am grateful to the tremendous young women in this program who made coaching each day such a wonderful experience. I know the program has a great future.”
Denney Wright will stay with the team while Minnesota conducts a national search to find her replacement. Outgoing athletics director Joel Maturi will start the search and continue it until June 18, when incoming AD Norwood Teague takes over.
“Mikki did an outstanding job leading our women’s soccer program,” Maturi said in the release. “She was a championship coach during her time with the Gophers and led our program to new heights. Just as important, though, is the positive impact she had on the lives of the many young women who played for her at the University of Minnesota.”
The soccer team finished 9-10-2 last season and lost in the second round of the Big Ten tournament. It did not make the NCAA tournament.