BLACKSBURG, Va. – The Virginia Tech athletics department has announced that head women’s soccer coach Kelly Cagle will relocate to the southwest part of the United States with her family and conclude her eight-year tenure as the most successful coach in the program’s history.
Director of Athletics, Jim Weaver, praised Cagle for the job she has done with her women’s soccer team, citing both academic and athletic success.
“We wish Coach Cagle and her family the very best, and thank her for her leadership,” said Weaver.
“This was a very hard decision for me to make because I am leaving a part of my heart with the Hokies and this team, but I believe this is the best decision for me and my family,” Cagle said. “Team Cagle has sacrificed for many years for me to be able to live this dream and build this program, and now it’s my turn to sacrifice for them. The love that I have for Virginia Tech and this program is indescribable and it will be with me forever, and for that I am thankful.”
Cagle came to Virgina Tech in the spring of 2003, and has worked tirelessly to build a competitive program in the Hokies. Throughout her eight seasons at the helm, Cagle has made Virginia Tech women’s soccer a competitor not only nationally but also in the Atlantic Coast Conference, arguably the most competitive soccer conference in the country. She has put together some of the best teams the program has seen, and her 76-70-15 record makes her the winningest coach in program history.
Cagle had many notable firsts during her tenure at Tech and capped her career with the Hokies by advancing to the NCAA Tournament four times since 2003, including three consecutive appearances in the past three seasons. Cagle’s teams have shattered single-season and program records on the field, and the team’s off-the-field success in the classroom and community were immeasurable as well. Many of the Hokies have garnered athletic and academic awards during this time, and Cagle herself was awarded with Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year honors in 2008.
The Hokies’ past three seasons have included some of the highlights for Cagle’s career. In 2008, the team got back to the NCAA Tournament after a tremendous run to the ACC Tournament championship game. In 2009 came another ACC Tournament appearance and a program-best round of 16 finish in the NCAA Tournament. Finally, this past season marked the third consecutive ACC and NCAA Tournament appearance for a Cagle-led squad. Cagle credited her staff and the Hokie athletic department throughout her career at Tech, and placed the “team” emphasis on the program since her arrival.
“As we have always said here, teams are much bigger than any individual and that is no different here and now,” she said. “This program is strong, and the people who are a part of it are winners. There is no doubt that the Hokies will be back in the NCAA Tournament next year, and it will be because of these unbelievable young ladies and the incredible staff here at Virginia Tech. ”
Cagle will remain as the head coach through December, and a national search will begin immediately to find her successor.