Updated: Feb. 6, 2024
After being named head coach of Ohio Soccer on Dec. 22, 2012, Aaron Rodgers has elevated the program to a new level of success, leading the Bobcats to their first MAC Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament Appearance in program history in 2023.
In 2023, Ohio compiled a record of 9-8-5 and 4-4-3 in conference play. Ohio won its final two games of the regular season to earn the sixth-seed in the MAC Tournament. The Bobcats shut out Ball State on the road in a 2-0 win to advance to the tournament semifinals. Ohio would move on to face Bowling Green, winners of four of previous five conference Tournaments. The Bobcats overcame a first half deficit by scoring two goals in the second half to advance to Ohio Soccer's first conference championship since 2002. In the championship, Ohio would once again use two second half goals to overcome a deficit to win the program's first conference tournament title. After scoring the game-winning goals in the semifinal and championship matches, Scout Murray was named the MAC Tournament MVP. Celeste Sloma, Eve Berish, and Carsyn Prigge were named to the All-Tournament Team alongside Murray.
The MAC Tournament Championship provided Ohio with the program's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Bobcats would ultimately lose to the fifth seeded Michigan State Spartans, coming off of their second straight the Big Ten regular season championship. Following the season, numerous Bobcats earned conference and district recognition. Shae Robertson, Quintin Tostevin, and Sloma were named to the All-MAC Second Team, while Jaimason Brooker was named to the All-MAC Freshman Team. Six Bobcats were named to the CSC Academic All-District List and 13 were selected to the All-MAC Academic Team.
In 2022, the Bobcats finished 10-7-2 overall and a 6-4-1 record in the MAC with a fourth place conference finish. The team averaged 2.053 goals per game which was the highest in the MAC. Rodgers coached Regan Berg and Abby Townsend to the All-MAC First Team and Berish to the All-Freshman team. Townsend, Berg, Berish and Murray were named MAC Offensive Player of the Week throughout the season. Townsend tied Ohio’s all-time assist record and was named to the All-Region Second Team. Off the field and in the classroom, nine athletes were named Academic All-MAC and five were named Academic All-District.
In 2021, Coach Aaron Rodgers was voted Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year after he lead the Bobcats to their best regular season winning percentage (.694) since the 2002 season, along with Ohio's highest win total in conference matches (7) since 2006. Ohio began conference play with nine straight games without a loss, en route to finishing the regular season in second place in the MAC, earning a first round bye in the MAC Tournament and advancing straight to the semifinal round.
The 2020 season was played through a shortened schedule in the spring of 2021 due to COVID-19. The Bobcats finished the year at 3-7-0, with all games being played against MAC opponents. Ohio placed four players on the All-MAC teams, consisting of one selection to the All-MAC First Team, and three newcomers being chosen for the MAC All-Freshman team. Additionally, the Bobcats had ten players qualify for the All-MAC Academic Team.
In 2019, Ohio earned their first 10-win season since 2003, and advanced to the semifinals of the MAC Tournament. The Bobcats finished the regular season at 10-8-1 while going 5-5-1 in conference play, earning the sixth seed in the MAC Tournament. Ohio upset third-seeded Western Michigan in the quarterfinals of the MAC Tournament but ended their season with a loss to seventh-seeded Eastern Michigan in the semifinals. 12 Bobcats were named to the Academic All-MAC Team and four players earned All-MAC recognition, including two All-MAC First Team selections, one All-MAC Second Team selection, and a MAC All-Freshman selection.
In his third season, Ohio had nine members of the team earn Academic All-MAC honors while four Bobcats were named to Academic All-Ohio as well. Stephanie Rowland was also awarded MAC All-Freshman to conclude the 2015-16 season. The Bobcats finished the regular season with a record of 5-13 going 3-7 in conference play. In Rodgers’ second season, the Bobcats earned a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA for stellar academic performance. On top of that, the ‘Cats were also honored by the NSCAA with the Team Academic Award for the second year in a row. Ohio also had nine members of the team earn Academic All-MAC honors. Ohio finished the regular season with a record of 6-13 going 3-8 in conference play.
In Rodgers' second season, the Bobcats earned a Public Recognition Award from the NCAA for stellar academic performance. On top of that, the `Cats were also honored by the NSCAA with the Team Academic Award for the second year in a row. Ohio also had nine members of the team earn Academic All-MAC honors. Ohio finished the regular season with a record of 6-13 going 3-8 in conference play.
In Rodgers' first season at the helm, the Bobcats finished the 2013 regular season with their first non-losing record since '09 (7-7-5) and posted five road victories - the most wins away from home for the program since '04. Ohio tallied 26 goals in 2013 - the program's most in a decade. Forward Alexis Milesky earned a spot on the 2013 Mid-American Conference All-Freshman Team after starting all 20 matches and tying for the team lead in points (11) and goals (4) while tying for third on the team in assists (3). Senior Mattie Liston finished her career as Ohio's most prolific goalkeeper, departing with program standards in career games played (73), games started (71), minutes (6,670), saves (403) and shutouts (20). Her 107 saves in 2013 rank as the third-most in a single season in school history.
Ohio excelled in the classroom as well, as the squad earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the 2012-13 academic year by posting a 3.30 team grade point average. Senior midfielder/forward Maggie Murnane garnered Academic All-MAC recognition while junior midfielder Annie Beard, sophomore defender Grace Campbell, junior defender Gabby Hausfeld, redshirt freshman midfielder/forward Sasha Haverchak and sophomore defender/midfielder Leah Sandercock received Academic All-MAC Honorable Mention. Campbell, Hausfeld and Murnane also earned spots on the Ohio Collegiate Soccer Association's Academic All-Ohio NCAA Division I Third Team.
Rodgers came to Athens after spending the previous four seasons (2009-12) at the University of Kentucky, where he helped direct the Wildcats to a 42-30-5 record.
Rodgers helped guide the Wildcats to the NCAA Championship in back-to-back seasons in 2011 and '12. The 2012 season was arguably the best in program history, as Rodgers helped UK to 14 wins and its first-ever NCAA Tournament victory. The Wildcats won eight Southeastern Conference games for the first time since 1999, tying the program record for conference wins in a season. Under Rodgers' direction, UK goalkeeper Kayla King posted a 13-2-1 record in the net with a 0.71 goals against average. She earned National Defensive Player of the Week honors after posting back-to-back shutouts at Tennessee and Georgia.
Prior to the 2012 campaign, Rodgers helped the Wildcats land the sixth-ranked recruiting class in the nation, according to TopDrawerSoccer.com
Rodgers also mentored UK goalie Sydney Hiance, who posted 12 shutouts in two seasons, including seven in 2009 -- the third-most in a single season in school history. Hiance finished her career ranked second in UK history in shutouts (20), saves (283), minutes (6143:56) and fourth in goals against average (1.23).
Prior to his arrival in Lexington, Rodgers spent a year as a volunteer coach with the University of Florida, serving as the goalkeeper coach. During his time in Gainesville, the Gators captured the 2008 SEC title and reached the NCAA Sweet 16.
Rodgers' other SEC stop came in 1998 at the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide won the SEC West Division and earned an NCAA Championship berth that season. Rodgers coached 1998 First Team All-SEC selection Rachel Brown, who is currently the goalkeeper for the England National Team.
Rodgers began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the women's team at his alma mater, the University of North Texas. After a year with the Mean Green, he spent the 1996 and '97 seasons as the University of South Alabama assistant. While at USA, the Jaguars went from a 2-17 record in 1996 to 18-3-1 in '97, marking the biggest turnaround in women's collegiate history.
Rodgers went on to accept the associate director position at the nationally prominent Cardinal Soccer Club located in Cincinnati, Ohio. He spent almost two years with the program, working with players aged seven to 20.
A volunteer coaching position for the University of North Florida for the 2001 season followed, and the Ospreys finished the campaign nationally ranked. He spent the 2005-07 seasons as an assistant coach for the Flager College men's team.
Rodgers played collegiate soccer at both Arkansas-Little Rock (1991) and North Texas (1992-93). He also played four seasons with various United Soccer League (USL) teams in the southeast, including the Texas Toros (1993-1994), Dallas Rockets (1995) and Mobile Revelers (1997).
A University of North Texas graduate, Rodgers received his bachelor's degree in political science in 1996.
Rodgers and his wife, Mandi, have a son, Luke, and a daughter, Reese.
