PROVO — BYU's longest tenured head coach and the face of one of the Cougars' more successful programs for the past three decades will soon call full time on a legendary career.
BYU women's soccer coach Jennifer Rockwood announced Tuesday she will retire in December following the conclusion of the 2026 season. A national search for the next head coach will begin following the 2026 NCAA tournament in December, and a season-long tribute to Rockwood's tenure.
After a brief basketball career at Rick's College, Rockwood transferred to BYU in 1985 to play for the women's soccer club team and was named head coach of the program upon graduation three years later. For seven seasons, she guided the Cougars until their transition to NCAA Division I status in 1995, and followed the program for 31 years, 470 wins, 17 regular-season championships and nine tournament titles in four different conferences, 24 All-Americans, and nine MAC Hermann Trophy candidates.
In three decades on the sideline, she's seen 18 players turn pro and nine players selected to represent the United States women's national team at the U-20 level or higher.
"It has been the honor of a lifetime to represent Brigham Young University and to lead this program since its inception," Rockwood said in a news release. "Watching this team grow from its humble beginnings on the club level to competing on the biggest stages in college soccer has been a journey I will always cherish. Most importantly, I am grateful for the hundreds of young women who have worn the BYU jersey and allowed me to be a part of their lives.
"While this will be my final season, my focus remains entirely on this incredible group of student-athletes and our goals for 2026."
Legendary BYU Women's soccer coach, Jennifer Rockwood, announces her retirement following the 2026 season. pic.twitter.com/0SwBpsT59B
— BYU Women's Soccer (@byusoccer_w) June 23, 2026
Following the recent retirement of longtime men's golf coach Bruce Brockbank after 41 years at the school, Rockwood became the longest tenured head coach on BYU's campus — and the only head coach women's soccer has had in the NCAA Division I era.
Under Rockwood, the Cougars made 26 NCAA Tournament appearances in 29 winning seasons, 19 top-25 final rankings, two College Cup semifinal berths, and a historic national championship appearance in 2021.
Two years later she did it again, taking a group of players that included NWSL pros Jamie Shepherd, Brecken Mozingo and Olivia Wade-Katoa back to the College Cup with a run that included a thrilling Elite Eight victory over North Carolina on a snow-covered South Field.
"I have had the opportunity to coach amazing athletes over the years and we really have had some fantastic teams," Rockwood told KSL.com at the time. "Some teams who have been really close, and some we haven't quite been there. I have a lot of support around me and an amazing staff that has helped me in my job."
