DEARBORN, Mich. – The University of Michigan-Dearborn Director of Athletics & Recreation Bryan Earl announced on Wednesday (Mar. 12) the hiring of Tesa McKibben as the Wolverines' next head soccer coach. McKibben takes over for George Easter, who departed in January for a new position at Oakland University.
McKibben comes to UM-Dearborn after a decorated playing career both collegiately and professionally. McKibben played collegiately at Saint Francis University (PA), where she is the school's all-time leader in points (180), goals (70) and assists (40). McKibben earned Northeast Conference Player of the Year honors four times and was inducted into the NEC Hall of Fame in 2019. While at SFU, McKibben was named a MAC Hermann Trophy Semi-Finalist, the highest individual award in collegiate soccer. Off the field, McKibben excelled in the classroom as she was named NEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year and NSCAA NCAA DI Academic All-American in 2012 and 2013.
After SFU, McKibben would head overseas to play in the second tier of the German Bundesliga for FC Saarbrüken. In the 2017 season, she led the team in assists/game. In 2018, McKibben returned to the States, where she began her coaching career at NCAA DIII Lycoming College (PA). There, McKibben would serve as an assistant coach, where she primarily handled recruiting responsibilities and helped the Warriors to an eight-win increase from her first to her second season.
What They're Saying About Tesa McKibben
"We are thrilled to welcome Tesa as our next women's soccer head coach. With her outstanding background as a player and a coach, our women's soccer student-athletes will thrive in the classroom, in the community, and in competition. Tesa will get the best out of the student-athletes and they will grow and succeed under her leadership." - Bryan Earl, Director of Athletics and Recreation
"We are beyond excited to welcome Tesa to the UM-Dearborn family. She is a proven competitor with an incredible passion for developing student-athletes on and off the field. Her dedication to helping athletes and teams reach their full potential aligns perfectly with our mission, and her positive personality will help recruit the best and brightest for our women's soccer program.
Tesa's drive, character, and commitment will have an immediate and lasting impression on our program, and I can't wait to see the growth and success she will cultivate here at UM-Dearborn." Cali Crawford, Assistant Athletic Director of Compliance & Internal Operations, Senior Woman Administrator
