Penn State coach Erica Dambach is one of seven active head coaches with a national title under their belt. As the 2025 season is quickly approaching, with the Nittany Lion’s first exhibition match being this coming Saturday, it’s important to look at how they got to where they are now and a long-standing factor would be Coach Dambach.
Prior to joining the blue and white, Dambach repped the red, white and blue. Throughout the early 2000s, Dambach shifted between head and assistant coach for the U17, U19 and U20 Women’s Youth National Teams.
In the midst of being involved with USYNT, Dambach was officially named head coach of Penn State in February 2007, resigning from her position with Harvard.
Significant players came and went under Dambach, with arguably the most notable one being star goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. Dambach coached Naeher from 2007-09 and eventually introduced her to the USYNT.
In the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, Dambach was named assistant coach to the official United State’s Women’s National Soccer Team, coaching U.S. icons Abby Wambach and Hope Solo. That year, the U.S. brought home gold all the way from Beijing.
The Penn State women’s soccer team huddles as head coach Erica Dambach gives a speech after the NCAA Tournament soccer game against Central Connecticut State at Jeffery Field on Friday Nov. 10, 2023 in University Park, Pa. The Nittany Lions won 7-0.
Jackson Ranger
Dambach worked with U.S. women’s soccer until 2012, working directly with Naeher in the 2011 World Cup. While Naeher was on the roster that year, she did not play, as Hope Solo was the starting goalkeeper at the time. It was still a full circle moment for Naeher to work with her collegiate coach on a national stage.
In 2012, Dambach again assumed the role of USWNT assistant coach for the Summer Olympic Qualifying Tournament. The squad won the tournament, dominating the Dominican Republic 14-0, and then Mexico 4-0.
Following the qualifying tournament, Dambach took a break from U.S. soccer, focusing on building a legacy at Penn State, which she certainly did. As of today, Dambach is a two time National Coach of the Year with 11 Big Ten regular season titles, 5 Big Ten Tournament titles, 18 NCAA Tournament appearances and one national championship, earned in 2015.
Ahead of the coming season, Dambach’s squad is set to face off against other highly decorated leadership.
Penn State women’s soccer head coach Erica Dambach celebrates her 200th win as a head coach with Senior Associate AD, Administration, Lynn Holleran and athletic director Sandy Barbour (far left) prior to the game against La Salle at Jeffrey Field on Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016. Penn State defeated La Salle 2-0.
Tap Permyao
This September, Penn State will take on Nebraska, who’s led by head coach John Walker. Walker was recently named a Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2023, and has been with the Huskies for a remarkable 31 seasons.
While the Nittany Lions won’t play USC this year in conference play, it’s possible they will see them in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament. USC’s head coach, Jane Alukonis, was named Big Ten Coach of the Year just last season.
Penn State’s 2025 season will be one of 18 others with Dambach. With new additions, and consistent appearances, fans await to see if this will be the year Dambach earns a second national title.
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Penn State has earned another commitment, completing its roster for the 2025 season.
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