Women's Soccer

Marcos Rodriguez Named UW-Stout Women’s Soccer Head Coach

**Release courtesy of UW-Stout Sports Information

MENOMONIE, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout Athletic Director Duey Naatz announced today the appointment of Marcos Rodriguez as the new head coach of the Blue Devil women's soccer program. Rodriguez brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to the team, marking an exciting new chapter for UW-Stout women's soccer.

Rodriguez returns to UW-Stout after serving as the inaugural head coach of the Blue Devil men's soccer program, a role he took on in July 2023, with the team's first season launching in the fall of 2024. His success in building that program from scratch highlights his ability to cultivate talent and establish a winning culture. Prior to that, Rodriguez spent a year as an assistant coach at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, where he helped guide the Wildcats to a 13-5-4 record, an MIAC tournament championship, and an NCAA tournament appearance.

No stranger to the Blue Devils, Rodriguez previously coached the goalkeepers for the UW-Stout women's soccer team during the 2021 season. That year, his goalkeepers posted an impressive combined goals-against average of 1.19, recording six clean sheets in 20 games played. His familiarity with the program and its athletes will provide a seamless transition as he takes the helm.

"We are excited to have Marcos Rodriguez to lead our women's soccer program," Naatz said. "His experience in launching the first ever men's soccer program here at Stout, combined with his experience coaching in women's club soccer, makes him a great fit to elevate our women's team to new heights."

Rodriguez's extensive resume includes significant roles beyond collegiate coaching. Since 2016, he has served as the goalkeeper director for St. Croix Soccer in Stillwater, Minn., where he also coaches the top U19's academy girls' team and is the legacy sporting director for WPSL and UPSL. Additionally, Rodriguez has been the head boys' varsity coach at River Falls High School since 2018. From 2015 to 2018, he was the B Squad coach and goalkeeper coach at Mahtomedi High School in Minnesota, where the Zephyrs won three conference championships and the 2017 Class A state title.

As a player, Rodriguez attended Presentation College in Aberdeen, S.D., where he started as goalkeeper in the 2014 season. That year, he ranked sixth in the nation in saves per game and 10th in total saves, showcasing the skills that now inform his coaching expertise.

"I am honored to take on this role and work with such an amazing group of student-athletes," Rodriguez said. "UW-Stout has a strong tradition of athletic success, and I'm eager to contribute to that legacy by developing a program that has so much potential."

The UW-Stout women's soccer team will begin gearing up for the 2025 season under Rodriguez's leadership this spring with the team's first contest set for August 29 against Hamline.
 
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