SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan has named Hideki Nakada as the next Head Coach of the Utes’ women’s soccer team.
“I am thrilled to introduce Hideki Nakada as the new leader of our women’s soccer program,” said Harlan. “He has played a significant role in the success of one of the premiere programs in the nation, including two National Championships, and brings a wealth of international experience. It was evident very quickly in our search that he rose to the top with his experience and his vision for comprehensive excellence. His knowledge of the Pac-12 and his familiarity with our program, our campus and the Salt Lake community, equip him to energize our program and elevate the experience for our student-athletes at Utah."
Nakada, a former goalkeeper, becomes just the third Head Coach in Utah soccer history as he takes helm of his own program for the first time after spending the past the past seven seasons at Stanford. He was an Associate Head Coach the last three seasons after being elevated on Feb. 23, 2018. In his seven years on The Farm, Nakada helped guide the Cardinal to two National Championships (2017, 2019) and five-consecutive Pac-12 Championships (2015-19). During his seven seasons, Stanford compiled a remarkable 132-15-10 overall record with a dominating 66-6-4 mark in the Conference of Champions with four College Cup appearances.
The Cardinals won their third National title in 2019 thanks to their goalkeeper Katie Meyer, who saved two penalty kicks in the title-deciding shootout against No. 2 North Carolina. Stanford also set a school record that year with 102 goals while finishing with a 24-1-0 record. While on staff, Nakada helped Stanford earn NSCAA Pacific Region Staff of the Year in 2016 and was named the 2015 NSCAA Pacific Region Assistant Coach of the Year after helping the Cardinal to a 19-2-2 overall record.
Prior to his time on The Farm, Nakada spent the 2013 season at Oregon as an Assistant – serving as the team’s Defensive Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.
Nakada started his collegiate career at Idaho State (2006-2008), where he spent three seasons, and led the Bengals to the 2006 Big Sky regular-season and tournament Championships and NCAA Tournament appearance. Prior to his stint at Idaho State, Nakada served as an Assistant Coach for the George Washington High School soccer team in San Francisco.
He then went on to Marquette for four seasons (2009-2012) and helped guide the Golden Eagles to the NCAA Tournament each year he was there.
Nakada played soccer at the University of San Francisco for two season (2001-2002) and earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology in 2005 (SoccerWire).
