Marshall Director of Athletics Christian Spears announced Rafa Simoes as the fifth head coach in Marshall Women's Soccer history on Friday, December 29, 2023.

Simoes was selected for the position after an extensive search led by the hiring committee, which included Spears, Marshall Men's Soccer Coach Chris Grassie, Marshall Executive Associate Athletic Director for Championship Planning and Resources Debra Boughton and Rebecca Reuss, Assistant to the Executive Associate Athletic Director.

He earned his first-career victory in dramatic fashion, winning 1-0 over Belmont on an 87th minute winner from Angel Fowler on Sept. 1, 2024. Simoes oversaw the progression of goalkeeper Alexis Wolgemuth in year one, at the end of the 2024 season, she ranks 3rd all-time in program history with 11 shutouts, following a crucial road draw at Old Dominion on Oct. 23.

Simoes said he is eager for the challenge of making Marshall Women's Soccer a championship contender in the Sun Belt Conference.

"It is a true honor and a privilege to accept the position as the next Head Coach for Marshall Women's Soccer," Simoes said. "My goal is to not only elevate the women's program to the level of excellence associated with Marshall Soccer, but to bring the community together in support of our student-athletes.

"I want to thank my wife, Rebecca, for without her I could not be here, and my mentors Chris Grassie, Marco Antonio and Fabio Oliveira, who have helped shape me as a coach and as a person. Finally, I want to thank Christian Spears, Debra Boughton and Rebecca Reuss for their trust in my vision, and support to bring this program to a standard of excellence and national recognition."

In his new role, Simoes returns to the women's game where he spent four seasons as an assistant for Nova Southeastern (2021-22) and Ohio (2019-20).

Simoes helped lead Nova Southeastern to a 1-0 victory over No. 17 Florida Tech in Sunshine State Conference play while helping Louise Matsgard and Chama Silva to all-league honors. In 2019 at Ohio, the Bobcats finished the season 11-9-1, including the best overall record for the program in the last 17 years.

Following his time at Nova Southeastern, Simoes returned to Huntington for his second stint as an assistant coach for Marshall's men's soccer team under Grassie, helping the Herd to a 29-7-4 record over the past two seasons, which included the 2023 Sun Belt Conference Championship and the No. 1 overall seed in the 2023 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
In addition to a championship mentality, Simoes brings an emphasis on creating a family culture within the program and in the community.

"We knew we wanted someone who would honor our goal of ensuring our student-athletes have a transformational experience while here, not just a transactional one," Spears said. "We accomplished those goals with the hiring of Rafa Simoes and we are tremendously excited to announce him as the fifth head coach in the history of Marshall Women's Soccer."
In addition to his roles in the collegiate game, Simoes has a well-established rapport with the West Virginia and Tri-State soccer communities through his work with the West Virginia Olympic Development Program and West Virginia Football Club.

As a player, Simoes starred in his native country of Brazil, including being the top scorer in the SP State League with 26 goals in 2009 being named First Team All-State SP League the same year.

Simoes played at the University of Charleston from 2014-17, with his first three seasons playing for coach Grassie. Simoes was a member of the Division II National Runner-up in 2014, a Final Four squad in 2015, another National Runner-up in 2016 and finally the Division II National Champions in 2017. During his time with the Golden Eagles, Charleston finished with an overall record of 82-8-5.

Simoes owns a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and two Master’s degrees in Physical Education and Coaching, as well as in Sports Science. He holds a USSF National C License.

Simoes said that, as his dream of being a Division I head coach becomes reality, he also wants to ensure that the dreams of his players are also realized.

"I am coming here to help these strong, young women make their dreams come true, and I look forward to building another program that Marshall and the Herd community can be proud of," Simoes said.

What others have to say about our Head Coach Rafa Simões:

“Rafa is an outstanding coach. He is passionate and committed to player development. He has great communication skills, has a growth mindset and is an athlete-centered coach. He will build a great program at Marshall. He is a role model and one of the best upcoming coaches in the country.

Dr. David Carr
President of United Soccer Coaches Association

“Rafa has a huge love, energy and passion for the game. He loves to coach and more importantly teach. Rafa made a great impact on the Ohio University soccer program when he worked with us and I know he has impacted positively all the programs he has worked with. I know how much he loves Marshall University Soccer and has worked tirelessly with the men to maintain their elite status. I am sure he will maintain that same energy, love and passion with women’s soccer program.”

Aaron Rodgers
Head Coach
Ohio University

“I am thrilled that Marshall Athletic Department has hired Rafa Simoes to become the new head coach for the Marshall Women’s Soccer Program. Rafa has the knowledge, passion and recruiting contacts to make the program immediately competitive in the Sunbelt Conference. He will relate well with his players additionally he has already proved what an asset he can be with the soccer community. Let’s all get behind him and support the program like Herd Fans do for all Athletics.”

Bob Gray
Former Marshall Men’s Soccer Head Coach for 22 years

“I was lucky to coach Rafa at the University of Charleston. Not too long after I met up with him at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Baltimore. You could tell immediately his energy and passion for coaching was going to fit perfectly in this industry. Since then I have had the pleasure of watching him grow in to the mentor he has become. I am so excited for what the next chapter holds and I know with his relentlessness and obsession to impact the lives around him he is going to transform the Marshall women’s program in to what the men have been able to do.”

Scott Wells
Head Coach
Gardner Webb

“I couldn’t think of a better candidate to elevate the women’s soccer program to heights it maybe hasn’t reached just yet. Rafael Simões brings to the table the hunger to work tirelessly with ambition. I am sure he will create a unique environment for young women to excel on and off the field.

He is someone close to me, and I have been following his journey in the coaching world these last couple of years. He has been surrounded by the best, and I am sure he has soaked up as much as possible. The program is in good hands, and I am excited for the future of Herds women’s soccer.”

Gonzalo Carranza
Head Coach
Xavier University of Louisiana

“Rafa is one of the best people I have met in my coaching career. He is a determined, hard working coach that has and will continue to improve every collegiate soccer program he joins. I’m excited to see how he does that with Marshall Women’s Soccer.”

Daniel Smee
Head Coach
University of Charleston

“Marshall University women’s soccer has landed a fantastic coach, and more importantly a fantastic person with the hire of Rafa Simoes. He’s paid his dues and gained valuable experience learning from some of the very best coaches in collegiate soccer and there’s no doubt the time has come for him to make the step up and lead a program of his own.

His infectious personality will create a positive work environment and I’m excited to see what he and his staff can build at Marshall women’s soccer.”

Oliver Fisher
Head Coach
West Virginia Tech

“Rafa is absolutely the right man to take this program forward, after learning from some of the best head coaches in the country he is ready to take the next step and lead a program. I am excited to follow his future success.”

Ali Simmons
Head Coach
Jacksonville University

“I was able to grow alongside Rafa as a player, and I have never met someone so supportive, encouraging, and charismatic. We had the opportunity to grow as student athletes in the most positive team environment and culture.
Now having the pleasure of growing alongside Rafa as a coach in the sunbelt conference, I’m confident Marshall University will benefit from his determination to succeed and his ability to create that same team culture and experience we once had.”

Will Roberts
Head Coach
University Louisiana Monroe

"As an alumni of Marshall University, I'm thrilled that my friend Rafa Simoes has been named the new head coach for the women's program. With deep ties to West Virginia and a global network from his Brazilian roots, Rafa brings a wealth of experience to the role. Rafa's genuine care for his players and emphasis on human connection in coaching sets him apart. Under his leadership, Marshall's women's soccer program will take the next step in its progress in competing at the national level."

Travis Brent
Head Coach
Franklin Pierce University

Name	Title	Phone	Email Address
Rafa Simoes	Head Women's Soccer Coach	-----	simoes@marshall.edu
Augusto Maciel	Assistant Coach / Director of Operations		souzaferreir@marshall.edu
Erich Rodrigues Leite	Assistant Coach	----	rodrigueslei@marshall.edu
Thaynara De Jesus	Assistant Coach
Leonardo Dutra	Assistant Coach

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