Gail Mann, the winningest coach in Nazareth Women's Soccer history, announced her retirement this week after a 34‑year tenure that included 32 straight seasons with winning records.
Over three decades she compiled a record of 378 victories, captured 13 conference titles and guided her teams to 13 NCAA Tournament appearances, earning six Empire 8 Coach of the Year honors along the way.
A Legacy of Excellence
Mann’s influence extended beyond the scoreboard; she produced 71 regional and nine national All‑Americans and helped shape the program into a perennial contender in Division III.
A Seamless Transition
Assistant coach Diana Groth, a native of Berlin, Germany, will assume the head‑coach role after being selected by Athletic Director Pete Bothner; Groth brings UEFA‑B and USSF‑A licenses, extensive recruiting experience and service as a scout for the US Youth National Team.
The program’s recent run includes three straight Empire 8 championships, though the 2025 season marked the first year since 2020 that the team fell short of the championship game, a setback that underscores both the program’s stability and the challenges ahead.
As the campus community celebrates Mann’s storied career, attention now turns to Groth’s vision for continuing the program’s tradition of excellence while carving out her own imprint on the team’s future.