| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paula Wilkins | ||
| Date of birth | c. 1973 (age 51–52) | ||
| Place of birth | Middletown, Pennsylvania | ||
| Position(s) | Defender | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1991–1994 | UMass | 53 | (4) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2001–2006 | Penn State | ||
| 2007– | Wisconsin Badgers | ||
Paula Wilkins is an American college soccer coach and former college soccer player. She is the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers women's soccer team. [1] Wilkins is a former All-American college soccer defender playing 4 years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a recipient of the NSCAA Coach of the Year award, winning the honor in 2005. [2]
Wilkins played college soccer for the University of Massachusetts as a defender from 1991 to 1994. [1] During her time with the Minutewomen she earned 48 starts, 53 caps, and scored 4 goals. [3] [4] [5] Wilkins was a three-time participant in the NCAA Tournament progressing to the NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four in her senior season. [6] [2] Wilkins was honored with a First Team All-American selection in 1993. [1]
Wilkins began her coaching career in 1994 as an Assistant Coach with Penn State under head coach Patrick Farmer. [1] Wilkins was promoted to head coach of Penn State's team after the position was vacated in 2000. [6] During her tenure as head coach of Penn State Wilkins became one of the fastest ever to reach 100-wins as a coach in women's college soccer, was named NSCAA Coach of the Year and received 5 Big Ten coach of the year awards. Wilkins lead the Nittany Lions to a record of 119–19–11, six straight Big Ten regular season championships, two Big Ten tournament championships, and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances reaching the College Cup twice. [1] [2]
Wilkins accepted the role as Wisconsin's head women's soccer coach in 2007 where she currently coaches. [1] [7]