Michigan women's soccer hires Dave DiIanni, Iowa's winningest coach

The Michigan women's soccer team has its new leader.

Dave DiIanni, one of the winningest women's soccer coaches in the country, has taken over as the head man for the Wolverines - their fourth different head coach in 32 years of program history. DiIanni has racked up 346 wins across his 23-year head coaching career, going a 346-100-48 (.749) overall at Grand Valley State (2003-13) and most recently Iowa (2014-25).

He takes over for Jennifer Klein, who resigned earlier this month after eight years in charge, posting a 72-58-1 record with three NCAA Tournament appearances and one Big Ten Tournament title.

DiIanni, meanwhile, has a career .749 winning percentage ranks which ranks third among active head coaches.

"We are excited to bring Dave and his family back to the state of Michigan," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. "He is a proven national championship-winning coach who has been successful at every level he has coached. He brings a wealth of experience to Michigan ... we look forward to his leadership of our women's soccer program."

He spent the past dozen years at Iowa, going 125-82-30 to become the program's all-time winningest head coach. DiIanni led the Hawkeyes to five NCAA tournament appearances in his time, which included the program's first trip to the Round of 16 in 2024. The Hawkeyes all won two Big Ten Tournament titles, coming in the spring of 2021 and in 2023 during his tenure and last season were ranked as high as No. 5 in the nation.

Iowa has made three straight NCAA Tournaments and won at least the opening round in each of them. A defensive-minded coach, DiIanni's set Iowa program record in back-to-back seasons, first for most shutouts in a year (13 in 2023) and then for fewest goals allowed (12 in 2024).

For his success elsewhere in the Big Ten, his name was made here in the mitten. DiIanni coached at Grand Valley State (2003-13) where he oversaw perhaps the best Division II program in the nation. During his run GVSU went 221-18-18 as he led the Lakers to three NCAA DII National Championships, eight NCAA Regional Championships, seven final four appearances, 11 NCAA Tournament berths, nine GLIAC titles and seven GLIAC Tournament titles.

"The University of Michigan has made an outstanding hire in Dave DiIanni," Penn State coach Erica Dambach said in a statement. "His success in the Big Ten is well-established, and he has consistently built programs that compete at the highest level of our conference while developing exceptional student-athletes. Dave understands what it takes to win in this league, and he will be a tremendous leader for the Wolverines as they begin this next chapter.”

He was named National Soccer Coaches Association of America Coach of the Year three times, including his final season in Allendale, where he finished 24-0-1 as GVSU won its third national championship in five seasons.

DiIanni was inducted into both the Spring Arbor Hall of Fame and the Grand Valley State Hall of Fame in 2024.

He also served as head coach at Jackson Lumen Christi, was on staff at Hillsdale and worked with the Olympic Development Program in Michigan.

“What a phenomenal hire by Michigan," said Notre Dame coach Nate Norman. :"They have just hired a proven winner that has had success at all levels. Dave is not only a great coach but he is someone that really cares about his players. I’ve always admired Dave and is someone who has been very instrumental in my development as a young coach. I’m very excited for Dave and his family.”

Dave and his wife, Kristy, have two daughters, Karissa and Kelsey.

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan women's soccer hires Dave DiIanni, Iowa's winningest coach