University Park, Pa. -- After spending six years as the head coach of Penn State's women's soccer program, Paula Wilkins announced today that she will leave to take the head coaching position at Wisconsin. Wilkins compiled an overall record of 119-19-11 (.836) and helped the Nittany Lions to nine-straight Big Ten titles as both an assistant coach then as the head coach after her appointment before the 2001 season.
"I have enjoyed my time at Penn State and am truly grateful for the opportunities that have been given to me by the athletic administration here," said Wilkins. "My decision was based primarily on things in my personal life and the desire for a new challenge. My time here with my players and in my early career as a coach is something I will always treasure as I enter this new phase of my life."
Tim Curley, Penn State's Director of Athletics, indicated that a search for Wilkins' successor would begin immediately. "While we regret Paula's decision to leave a Nittany Lion program that she has been with from the start and we thank her for all her contributions. We know that this program will continue to thrive with the tradition she helped establish as a strong base. With that in mind, we now look forward to finding a successor who will continue the program's dominance both in the conference and on the national scene and whose attitude and work ethic reflect the principles of this department."
Wilkins was just the second coach in the 13-year history of the Penn State program. She served as an assistant under Pat Farmer starting in 1994 before taking over the head post in 2001. In addition to mentoring the Lions to six straight conference championships, she also guided the team to two College Cups and two Big Ten Tournament championships as a head coach.
Penn State finished the 2006 season with an 18-5-3 record and captured its ninth straight Big Ten title. The Nittany Lions also won the Big Ten Tournament title and racked up three NCAA Tournament wins en route to its eighth NCAA quarterfinal appearance in the past nine years. Overall the Nittany Lions have earned bids to the past 12 NCAA Tournaments, only missing in the program's inaugural year of 1994.