Ole Miss Soccer Hires Utah Tech's Molly Rouse As Next Head Coach

The Rebels have hired their third soccer coach in program history Thursday.

Ole Miss has a new manager patrolling the pitch this fall in Oxford.

The Rebels soccer team officially hired Utah Tech's Molly Rouse as their next head coach Thursday morning. Route will replace Matt Mott, who left the program earlier this month to take over the same position at Oklahoma.

“Molly is a rising star in the coaching profession,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said in an official statement following the announcement. “We’re elated for her to join the Ole Miss family. As a player and coach, we were immediately impressed with the depth of her knowledge, experience and willingness to face any challenge head on, including guiding a team through the transition to D1.

"Molly has remarkable vision, and we look forward to providing her the support and tools necessary to lead Rebel Soccer to an elite level."

Rouse manned the helm at Utah Tech for four seasons, helping the program make the jump from Division II to Division I. Last season, the Trailblazers finished 10-6-2 in the Western Athletic Conference, marking their best record since transitioning to the Divison I level.

The Trailblazers led the WAC in Goals Against Average (GAA) and Goals Allowed in 2022. They allowed just 14 goals in 18 games for a 0.78 GAA. Per Ole Miss Athletic's department, Utah Tech posted nine shutouts in 18 matches, including a stretch of seven-straight clean sheets.

"I am thrilled about the opportunity to work with the outstanding student-athletes at Ole Miss and to be part of an institution and athletic department with a rich history of success. I want to express my gratitude to Keith Carter, Jennifer Saxon, and Bob Baker for their belief in me to lead the Rebel Soccer team," Rouse said in a prepared statement. "Our primary focus during this time is to ensure a seamless transition and foster a sense of unity among our talented women, as we believe they have the potential to achieve greatness together."

Rouse played collegiate soccer at the University of Minnesota from 2007-10, where she totaled 18 total goals with 17 assists in 88 career matches. After finishing her career with the Golden Gophers, Rouse played professional soccer for the Minnesota Kings and Vancouver Whitecaps in the Women's Premier Soccer League.

Prior to taking over at Utah Tech, Rouse spent two seasons on staff at Minnesota. She also made previous stops as an assistant at Iowa, Omaha, Buffalo and Alabama State.

"Reflecting on my previous experiences, I am thankful for the opportunity to play for and work with exceptional coaches who have shaped my coaching philosophy," Rouse said. "Each institution I have been a part of has prepared me for this moment, and I am ready to make a significant impact in the highly competitive SEC. I am confident that our collective efforts will yield great results and create a legacy of achievement at Ole Miss."

Rouse now takes over a program that has appeared in 10 NCAA Tournaments since its innagural season in 1995. Mott, who posted a 139-97-32 record (.578), led the Rebels to six appearances during his 13 seasons in Oxford. 

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