December 4, 2024

Colleen Corbin Named K-State Head Soccer Coach

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Image courtesy of Kansas State University Athletics

MANHATTAN, Kan. (Kansas State University Athletics) – Colleen Corbin, the 2022 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year who spent the 2024 season as the associate head coach at Saint Louis, was announced Monday as the K-State women’s soccer head coach by K-State Director of Athletics Gene Taylor.

Corbin agreed to a 5-year contract, which was approved by the K-State Athletics, Inc., Board of Directors and President Richard Linton.

Corbin will be formally introduced to the public during a news conference on Thursday, December 5, at 11 a.m., in the Steel and Pipe Team Theatre at the Vanier Football Complex. A live stream of the news conference can be viewed on the K-State Sports Facebook page.

“We are thrilled to welcome Colleen to K-State as the new leader of our soccer program,” Taylor said. “She has a proven track record of building and leading a championship program as evidenced by her time at Wyoming, and her most recent tenure at Saint Louis allowed her the opportunity to grow even more as a coach and put her stamp on an already established and high-level program. We look forward to welcoming Colleen and her husband, Nick, to Manhattan.”

“I am honored and thrilled to have the privilege of being named the next head coach of the Kansas State women’s soccer team,” stated Corbin. “I want to personally thank Gene Taylor, Jill Shields and Matt Thomason for their commitment and intention throughout the hiring process, as well as their trust in me and their belief in the K-State soccer program. It is evident that there are resources in place to help K-State women’s soccer be successful, as well as an incredibly supportive community who is excited about our team and the opportunity for continued growth and success.

“My husband, Nick, and I are looking forward to making Manhattan our home and joining the Wildcat family. We can’t wait to immerse ourselves into the community and experience all that the Little Apple has to offer. Go Cats!”

Corbin takes the reins of the K-State program following a season as the associate head coach at Saint Louis. During her time with the Billikens, Corbin helped the program to a 15-2-6 overall record, which included a 7-0-3 record in the Atlantic 10 Conference and the regular season and conference tournament titles and the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. The Billikens reached the second round of the tournament following a 1-0 win over Kansas.

Corbin was responsible for the Billikens’ goalkeepers and defensive backline, overseeing a defensive effort that registered 14 shutouts in the 23 matches. For the season, Saint Louis goalkeepers registered a save percentage of .835 while allowing 14 total goals for a 0.61 goals against average. She helped mentor the 2024 Atlantic 10 Defender of the Year, Lyndsey Heckel.

Prior to her time at Saint Louis, Corbin guided Wyoming to a Mountain West Conference regular-season co-championship and was named the league’s Coach of the Year in 2022 and coached the 2022 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year, Jamie Tatum.

In her first season in Laramie in 2021, she led the Cowgirls to eight victories, equaling the most wins by a first-year head coach in program history.

Prior to her stint at Wyoming, Corbin served as associate head coach at James Madison (2018-20) and was an assistant coach at Arizona State (2016) and Cal State Northridge (2014-15). She helped James Madison win the 2018 Colonial Athletic Association regular-season title, coaching the Dukes’ goalkeepers to the top of the league in shutouts (7).

Corbin played collegiately at Oregon State, where she was a two-time NSCAA All-America honors as a goalkeeper and set school career and single-season records for goals against average and shutouts. She helped lead the Beavers to three NCAA Tournament appearances including a round of 16 in 2009. Corbin is a 2012 graduate of Oregon State with a bachelor’s degree in education.

The La Cañada, California, native went on to play two seasons of professional soccer. She was part of a Western New York Flash team that captured a Women’s Premier Soccer League title, and she played for the Boston Breakers of the National Women’s Soccer League.

What They Are Saying About Coach Corbin

Saint Louis Women’s Soccer Head Coach Katie Shields

“K-State made a tremendous decision in hiring Colleen. I am grateful for the time we spent together here at SLU. She is an elite recruiter that brings passion and intensity to helping student-athletes fulfill their potential. Her diversity of experience and expertise will be a tremendous asset to the K-State program and I look forward to watching her build something special in Manhattan.”

James Madison Women’s Soccer Head Coach Joshua Walters, Sr.

“I am excited for Colleen & Nick along with the players at Kansas State. Colleen is a very passionate and caring coach that seeks to develop the culture of the program along with the competitiveness on the field. She will pour herself into this project and impact everyone around her. What I also love for the players is that Colleen has done everything as a player they dream about doing at the collegiate and professional level. As a coach she is a winner and knows how to win championships. This is a fantastic hire for K-State.”

Utah State Women’s Soccer Head Coach Manny Martins

“Colleen Corbin is an outstanding hire for Kansas State University. She seamlessly combines high energy with a genuine passion for creating a positive and empowering environment for her student-athletes. Colleen’s ability to inspire and maximize the potential of her athletes will undoubtedly be reflected both on the field and throughout the community from day one.”