Iowa soccer announces new head coach Dean Ward

IOWA CITY — The soccer Hawkeyes have their new leader.

Iowa soccer announced Xavier University head coach Dean Ward will become the program’s sixth head coach Thursday afternoon. Ward joins Iowa with nearly two decades of head coaching experience, including two seasons with the Musketeers.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to join Iowa Athletics and lead the Iowa women’s soccer program,” Ward said in a statement to Hawkeye Athletics. “I arrive with gratitude and understanding of the fantastic platform the program can continue to elevate and look forward to continuing a culture of excellence with further success here at Iowa.”

Ward has won 31 games for the Musketeers over the last two seasons, including a 16-4-2 record in 2025.

Ward is originally from Birmingham, England, and has helped coach programs to multiple winning seasons. Most recently, he guided Xavier University to a Big East Tournament Championship and an NCAA Round of 32 appearance.

Xavier also finished the regular season as the conference runners-up, and was recognized as the United Soccer Coaches East Region Staff of the Year.

Ward also coached at Lenoir-Rhyne University (2022-24), where he helped bring two league titles, a conference tournament title and two Division II NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship appearances. He was also an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at University of Dayton (2017-21) and a five-year assistant at Tennessee.

“His track record of competitive excellence, player development, and championship culture speaks for itself, and we are confident he will build on the strong foundation already in place here at Iowa,” athletics director Beth Goetz said.

The No. 21 Hawkeyes ended 2025 with a 12-5-4 record, including 10 shutouts and an NCAA Round of 32 appearance. Iowa already have four incoming freshmen and three transfers joining the program in 2026, after losing nine student-athletes in 2025.

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