Jennifer Rockwood, who has guided the Brigham Young University women’s soccer program for four decades, announced that the upcoming 2026 season will be her final one as head coach.
Four Decades of Leadership
Rockwood first stepped onto the Cougars’ pitch as a player in 1985, later transitioning to the sidelines where she would reshape the program over the next 41 years.
During her tenure she led the team to 17 regular‑season championships and nine conference titles, and guided the Cougars to an appearance in the NCAA championship game, cementing her status as the winningest active female head coach in NCAA soccer.
Her influence extends beyond trophies; 18 of her former players have turned professional, and nine have earned caps with the United States at the U‑20 level or higher, reflecting the pipeline she built from college to the international stage.
Under Rockwood’s leadership the club evolved into an NCAA Division I program, a transformation that helped raise the profile of women’s soccer in Utah and beyond.
Celebrating a Final Season
The university plans to honor her contributions throughout the 2026 campaign, with special tributes scheduled during home matches, beginning with the season opener on August 12 at UCLA in Los Angeles and the first home game on August 22 against USC.
Following the NCAA tournament in December, BYU will launch a search for a new head coach, aiming to maintain the high standards set over four decades.
Rockwood’s retirement marks the end of an era for the program, but her legacy will continue to shape the team’s culture and aspirations for years to come.