Maryland women’s soccer hires Meghan Ryan Nemzer as new head coach

Rutgers associate head coach Meghan Ryan Nemzer was announced as the new head coach of Maryland women’s soccer on Friday, per a team spokesperson.

Nemzer, a product of Crofton, Maryland, succeeds Ray Leone, who was the program’s head coach from 2016-21. The university announced it would not renew Leone’s contract and would begin a national search immediately on Oct. 26.

“I am absolutely thrilled to be returning home to serve as the head coach of the Maryland women’s soccer program,” said Nemzer in a release. “I am so thankful for Damon Evans, Shawn Flynn and the search committee for their time and effort through this entire process. What got me excited early on through this process was the vision and values we all share for this program.”

Spending the last 14 years on the coaching staff of Rutgers, the last eight of which she was associate head coach, Nemzer enjoyed great success. She was an instrumental part of the 2021 team that won the Big Ten, earned a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and made it all the way to the semifinals of the College Cup.

“Meghan is a proven winner, a champion, who was born and raised in Maryland,” athletic director Damon Evans said, per release. “We are excited for her to lead our women’s soccer program as we enter a new era with the Terrapins. Meghan had all of the attributes we were seeking: someone who has won at the highest levels in the sport; someone who understands what it takes to build a program; someone who has outstanding recruiting connections and contacts; someone who knows the Big Ten Conference and someone who has tremendous pride for the state of Maryland.”

Prior to her coaching career, Nemzer was a co-captain for the Scarlet Knights from 2005-07. She was a part of arguably Rutgers’ best defense in program history in 2006 and earned All-Big East Honorable Mention accolades in 2007.

“Our goal will be to lead a championship vision culture and focus on the process to achieve this goal,” Nemzer added. “The University of Maryland is a world-class institution and I am so lucky to be back home and can’t wait to get started.”