Randy Waldrum wins award with University of Pittsburgh

By Oyediji Oluwaseun Babatunde

Nigeria’s senior women’s national team coach at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Randy Waldrum, and his coaching team at the University of Pittsburgh have been named Women NCAA Atlantic Staff of the Year, announced by United Soccer Coaches Friday.

Head Coach of Pittsburgh Panthers, Randy Waldrum, Associate Head Coach Ben Waldrum, and Assistant Coach Jesse Goleman paved the way for the Pitt women’s soccer’s most historical year.

The staff led the Panthers to set program records for most wins overall (17), ACC wins (6), home wins (9), points (194), goals (64) and assists (66).

The Panthers posted victories over Duke and North Carolina in the regular season, beating both for the first time in program history.

The coaching staff helped the team propel past five top 25 teams including three in the top ten.

Pitt also advanced to the ACC Championship semifinals and the NCAA Championship Elite Eight for the first time.

With this honor, Randy Waldrum, Ben Waldrum, and Jesse Goleman will all be added to the National Staff of the Year ballot. This award will be announced later this month.

Waldrum whose contract with the Super Falcons ended in October 2023 led the nine-time African champions to the Round of 16 of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.

He was recently shortlisted for the CAF Women’s Coach of the Year award.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President, Alhaji Ibrahim Gusau recently told NigeriaFootball.ng that the Federation is in talks with Waldrum in a bid for him to extend his contract.

His assistant, Justine Madugu has taken charge of the team with two wins and a draw after three games, scoring ten goals and conceding one.