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Lewis Theobald
Head Coach | 16th Season | 275-41-23 (.845)
Lewis Theobald, now in his 16th year, has transformed the Jennies Soccer program into one of the premier programs not only in the MIAA, but in all of NCAA Division II.
The 11-time MIAA and five-time region Coach of the Year, enters the 2023 season with an impressive 275-41-23 record. He recorded more wins in his first three seasons than any other coach in school history and is the all-time winningest coach in both Jennies soccer and MIAA women's soccer history. He brought home the program's first ever National Championship in the 2017 season.
Theobald enters the 2023 season as the winningest active coach in Division II women's soccer with an .845 winning percentage, among coaches with at least five years on the sidelines. He also is the all-time D-II leader among coaches with at least 10 years and is fifth all-time in all NCAA Divisions.
During his tenure, Theobald has coached 20 All-Americans in Lindsay Edmonds, Julia Kristensen, Kassie Newsom, Caroline Cole, Ana Dilkes, Emily Eldridge, Baylie Edwards, Randi Fernsler, Allysa Gann, Kayla Hamner, Julie Ireland, Becky Lackey, Cindy Lackey, Abby Rhodes, Alyssa Rhodes, Jada Scott, Carly Stanley, Jenna Stones, Makayla Toth and Megan Woolley and has led 55 players to All-Region status. He also coached Dilkes, a goalkeeper, to a National Player of the Year honor during the 2017 season.
He has coached 126 All-Conference players, including Most Valuable Players Melanie Hall, Kayla Shain and two-time Player of the Year Alyssa Rhodes; Offensive Players of the Years Carly Stanley, Julie Ireland, Jada Scott, Kassie Newsom and Julia Kristensen; Freshmen of the Year Alyssa Rhodes, Stanley, Hannah Pyle, Alexis Robbers, Nicki Wisnasky, Caroline Cole and Julia Kristensen; Defenders of the Year, Emily Eldridge, Allysa Gann, Cindy Lackey and Abby Rhodes; two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Lindsey Johnson and four-time Goalkeeper of the Year Ana Dilkes.
2017 will go down as the best year in program history for Theobald and the Jennies. He guided the Jens to their fourth straight 20-plus win season as they went undefeated, winning an NCAA-II record 26 games to claim the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer National Championship. UCM once again won the MIAA Regular Season Championship for the eighth straight time and 10th overall in program history, and won their fourth straight MIAA Tournament Championship. The Jens entered the NCAA postseason as the No. 1 seed in the Central Region and earned a first round bye for the third straight year. UCM posted back-to-back 3-0 shutouts over Augustana (SD) and SW Oklahoma State to win the program's fourth consecutive Central Region Title. In the Elite Eight, the Jennies once again squared off against Grand Valley State. They defeated the Lakers 3-1 to advance to their first ever Final Four. In the Final Four, the Jens defeated Mercy College 3-0 to secure a berth to the National Championship match. In the National Championship, UCM defeated Carson-Newman, 5-3, in a shootout after 1-1 game in regulation and two overtimes at Swope Soccer Village. The Jennies had eight All-American selections, 10 All-Region picks, and nine All-MIAA players. Dilkes was named the National Player of the Year, while Theobald and his staff were named National Coaching Staff of the Year after being named Central Region Staff of the Year. Theobald was also named the MIAA Coach of the Year.
UCM posted an overall record of 19-2-2 and went 9-1-1 in the MIAA in 2022, capturing the program's 13th MIAA Regular Season Championship and sixth MIAA postseason tournament title. The Jennies advanced to the second round of the NCAA-II Central Regional before falling to Emporia State, 1-0. Redshirt junior defender Lindsay Edmonds garnered United Soccer Coaches First Team All-American honors while redshirt freshman forward Julia Kristensen was named both the D2CCA Central Region and MIAA Player of the Year while also garnering D2CCA Second Team All-American accolades. Redshirt sophomore midfielder Caroline Cole also earned All-American recognition as she was a D2CCA Second Team All-American. Theobald earned MIAA Coach of the Year honors while Kristensen joined six fellow Jennies on the All-MIAA teams.
Central Missouri went 20-4-1 and captured the program's 12th MIAA Regular Season title after posting a conference mark of 9-1-1 in 2021. UCM made it six regional championships all-time after defeating Bemidji State, 4-1, in the Central Region Championship Match Nov. 21 in Allendale, Mich, advancing to the National Quarterfinals. The Jennies gave top-ranked Grand Valley State a fight, but fell short, dropping a 1-0 decision to the Lakers. Senior Kassie Newsom earned United Soccer Coaches and D2CCA First Team All-American honors and was named the MIAA Offensive and D2CCA Central Region Player of the Year. Caroline Cole, the MIAA Freshman of the Year, garnered D2CCA Third Team All-American accolades. Theobald earned MIAA Co-Coach of the Year and nine Jennies garnered All-MIAA honors. Goalkeeper Lindsey Johnson earned MIAA Co-Goalkeeper of the Year honors for her second conference Goalkeeper of the Year award.
The Jennies posted their eighth season this decade with at least 19 wins in 2019, finishing the season 19-3-1 advancing to the NCAA Regional Championship game. The Jennies ran through the MIAA regular season going 10-0-1 for their 11th MIAA regular season championship in team history. UCM doubled their number of All-Conference selections from the year before with 10. Senior Allysa Gann was the MIAA Defensive Player and sophomore Lindsey Johnson was was the MIAA Goalkeeper of the Year. Gann, along with Makayla Toth were crowned All-Americans following the season, while six different Jennies made an All-Region team.
Coach Theobald made it five straight regional championships in 2018 when UCM defeated Central Oklahoma 4-3 in overtime in the Regional Championship game. The Jennies finished the year at 19-5-1, their seventh time in the last nine years with at least 19 wins. UCM needed to go on the road for the regional, defeating Augustana 3-1 and regional host Bemidji State 2-0 before defeating the Bronchos in Allendale, Michigan. The season ended with a loss to Grand Valley State in the Elite Eight. Senior Jada Scott earned her sixth All-American award, most by an offensive player in team history. She and Allysa Gann made the All-Region team while five Jennies earned All-MIAA honors.
In 2016, he guided the Jennies to their third straight 20-plus win season as they went 21-2 overall. The Jennies won the MIAA Regular Season Championship for the seventh straight time and ninth overall in program history, and won their third straight MIAA Tournament Championship and earned a first round bye in NCAA Central Region Tournament as the top seed for the second consecutive year. In the second round Central Missouri defeated Central Oklahoma, 2-1, and downed Fort Hays State, 1-0, to win the Central Region and reach the Elite Eight for the third year in a row. The Jennies fell in the Elite Eight to defending national champions Grand Valley State, 3-1, to bring their season to an end. The Jennies had five All-Americans, seven All-Region, and nine All-MIAA players. Theobald and his staff were also named the Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
The Jens followed up their record setting 2014 campaign with another spectacular season in 2015. The Jennies finished the season with a 21-2-1 record en route to winning their sixth-straight MIAA Regular Season Championship and their second consecutive, and third overall, MIAA Tournament Title. Central Missouri earned the No. 1 seed in the region, earning a first round bye in the NCAA Tournament. The Jens knocked off Minot State 2-0 in the second round, and beat Minnesota State 1-0 to win the Central Region and advance to the Elite Eight for the second year in a row. The Jennies and defending National Champions Grand Valley State were tied 1-1 after two overtimes, but UCM fell 3-2 in the shootout to bring their season to a close. The Jennies had five All-Americans, six All-Region and 11 All-MIAA players. Theobald earned Co-Coach of the year honors, his eighth such honor.
In 2014, Theobald led the Jennies to an undefeated regular season and their fifth straight MIAA Regular Season Championship. The Jennies captured the MIAA Tournament title and earned the No. 2 seed and a first round bye in the NCAA Central Region Tournament. The Jens won a pair of games in the regional, including a 3-2 overtime win over top-ranked and undefeated Minnesota State, to advance to the National Quarterfinals for the first time in program history. UCM finished the season 21-1-2 overall and three players earned various All-American honors for the Jennies, while 11 players were named to the All-MIAA team. Theobald was named MIAA Coach of the Year for the seventh time in his eight seasons at the helm.
In 2013, he led the Jennies to their fourth straight MIAA regular season championship and the sixth in the last seven years with a 14-4-2 overall record. The Jens advanced to their fourth straight NCAA Tournament and the sixth during Theobald's tenure. UCM went 9-1-1 in MIAA play and had nine players named to the All-MIAA Team, including both the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Year, Freshman of the year and Theobald was named MIAA Coach of the Year.
In 2012, he led the Jennies to a 16-2-5 record, their third straight MIAA championship. They received the No. 1 seed and right to host the Central Region Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. The Jens went 10-0-2 in conference play and ran their MIAA unbeaten streak to 43 straight league games.
Central Missouri finished the 2011 season with a 19-2-0 overall mark, participating in the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season and fifth time in program history. The Jennies went 8-0-0 in the MIAA, capturing the conference regular season title and the tournament title. Central Missouri had 11 selected to the All-MIAA Teams, four All-Region honorees and one Daktronics All-American in Rhodes.
Central Missouri finished the 2010 season with a 19-1-0 overall mark, participating in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history. The Jennies went 16-0 in the MIAA, capturing the conference title. Along the way UCM broke many program and league records, finishing ranked ninth in the nation. They also had 11 players on the All-MIAA team, six on the all-region squad, and one NSCAA All-American, Rhodes.
The Jennies posted a 13-5-2 mark in 2009, just missing the national tournament for the first time in four years. Theobald led eight players to All-MIAA status, the most named to this team since 2001, and two players to the all-region team. The Jennies collected a 0.58 goals against average, the lowest since 1998, and their first undefeated season at home, going 8-0.
Theobald led the Jennies to a record-breaking 2008 campaign, recording the most wins for the program with a 15-4-2 record, setting the mark for most consecutive wins with 13, and winning their second conference title in as many years. Theobald was recognized as the NSCAA/Adidas South-Central Regional Coach of the Year and MIAA Coach of the Year, leading his squad to the NCAA Tournament for a third straight season, this time as the No. 1 seed and host.
In his first season, Theobald guided the Jennies to a 13-4-4 record and the first conference title in school history. UCM advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year and won the school’s first ever NCAA Tournament game before falling in the second round.
Theobald took over a program that made its first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history with a 12-5-3 record, while losing only one player to graduation.
Theobald came to UCM from Division I Indiana State in the Missouri Valley Conference, where he was the top assistant. While there, he was the lead recruiter and was responsible for scouting as well as game and player evaluations. He helped the Sycamores establish numerous individual and team attacking records because of his player-centered coaching philosophy. Theobald also led three players to double digit points, a first in program history.
Prior to being at ISU, Theobald spent several years coaching high school soccer, premier club soccer and at the Olympic Development Program in the Kansas City Area.
Theobald was picked to start and build the men’s and women’s soccer programs at Olathe Northwest High School from 2003-06. Afterwards he helped guide Olathe East High School to the Kansas 6A State Championship in 2001 and to a NSCAA national ranking.
During his time in the area, he also coached one of the elite club teams, the Kansas City Strikers United. Responsible for player and team development, the program was ranked as one of the top teams in the Midwest by gotsoccer.com.
Theobald was also involved in the Olympic Development program for eight years in both Kansas and Indiana. He helped with the selection of the state team and was the head coach of the 1988 girls age group that had two players selected to attend the national team camp and two players selected to the region team. He also coached the 1993 team.
A 1999 graduate of the University of Kansas, Theobald received his degree in education with a concentration in physical education. While attending KU, Theobald was twice elected team captain for the cross country team, named representative of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and nominated for the National Advisory Board’s Senior Leadership Award. Theobald was the sole member to earn four-year varsity letters in cross country, indoor and outdoor track. He was also an Academic All-Big 12 three times and a six-time Jayhawk Scholar.
Theobald is nationally licensed by the United States Soccer Federation with his ‘A’ license and is a member of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
He is married to Kelly Theobald and has five children: Gavin, Gareth, Alec, Mason and Meredith.
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