Kansas Extends Nate Lie with New 5-Year Deal

LAWRENCE, Kan. – Following two consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, one of which marked the school's third ever trip to the Sweet 16, Kansas soccer head coach Nate Lie has signed a five-year contract extension through the 2030 season, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced today.

In two seasons leading Kansas, Lie has produced a Big 12 Tournament Championship, back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances for only the third time in program history and accumulated 29 wins, more than the previous four seasons combined.

"It's hard to imagine a tenure starting stronger than Nate's has here at Kansas," Goff said. "He has won a championship and elevated Kansas Soccer to the highest levels in a short time. Moreover, he and his staff have represented KU in a world-class fashion, while developing our young women both on and off the pitch. Kansas Soccer is in great hands, and we couldn't be more excited to have Nate, his wife Emily, and their three wonderful children in Lawrence for years to come."

The 2025 season was a historic one as the Jayhawks finished with a 16-6-3 record, ending the year No. 10 in RPI and ranked No. 13 in the final United Soccer Coaches poll.

Kansas set new single-season records in goals (51), corner kicks (172), and points (154), while having the second most assists in a season (52). The 172 corner kicks were fourth most in the nation, the 52 assists were tied for the 11th most in the country, the 154 points were 12th most nationally and the 51 goals were tied for 14th most around the country. The 16 wins were also the fourth most in school history.

With a total of 19 wins away from Lawrence (road or neutral) in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Kansas leads the nation in road/neutral wins over the last two years. KU had nine road/neutral wins in 2025, which was tied for the most in the country.

"I am very grateful for the opportunity to represent this University and athletic department," Lie said. "I believe wholeheartedly in the leadership of Chancellor Girod and Travis Goff, and I so appreciate their support of the program and trust in our vision. I would like to personally thank Jason Booker for his daily commitment and mentorship, and our incredible coaching staff for their selflessness, expertise and unmatched work ethic."

Lie continued, "Any on-field success that we've achieved is a testament to the deep, all-encompassing, foundational support of this entire department, and all those that work behind the scenes and with the student athletes on a daily basis. We are very proud of our student athletes and the way they represent our program on and off the field. They live our pillars of Pride, Unity, Grit and Gratitude on a daily basis."

Lie became the first head coach in Big 12 soccer history to win the tournament championship in their first year leading a program and the third head coach in conference history to lead a team to the NCAA Tournament in their first year. Lie and his staff were named Midwest Region Staff of the Year by United Soccer Coaches following the 2024 season after the team finished with an overall record of 13-6-4 and 6-4-1 in conference play.

The 13 wins were the third most by a first-year coach in Big 12 soccer history. Ten of the 13 wins came on the road or at a neutral site. Kansas was one of five Division I programs with at least 10 road/neutral victories in 2024.

With only two weeks remaining in the 2024 regular season, Kansas had a 5-5-4 record and was fighting to qualify for the Big 12 Championship that was being held in Kansas City at CPKC Stadium. Lie helped spark the Jayhawks to tie a program record with eight consecutive wins. That included four victories in the conference tournament, three of which came against the No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 seeds, en route to winning the title.

In addition to team improvement, individual player development has been prevalent since Lie's arrival. Caroline Castans set a new single-season school record with 15 assists in 2025. Among her season honors, she was named an All-American, Scholar All-America and All-Big 12 First Team.

Lie also oversaw the first duo of double-digit scorers in a single season in school history in 2025, with Lexi Watts scoring 11 goals and Jillian Gregorski finding the back of the net 10 times. Watts finished her senior season by setting new career highs in goals (11) and points (27). Watts received numerous postseason awards, including All-America honors, Scholar All-America and All-Big 12 First Team.

Kansas made it all the way to the championship match of the conference tournament in 2025. The Jayhawks have qualified for the Big 12 Tournament Championship four times in program history and in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever (2015, 2019, 2024, 2025).

"My family and I have loved becoming part of the Lawrence community and we've been overwhelmed by the unconditional support of Jayhawk Nation," Lie said. "I am so incredibly honored and humbled for this continued opportunity, and I am driven to help lead this program to new heights."

University of Kansas Athletics

Kansas Extends Nate Lie with New 5-Year Deal

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