University of Minnesota Athletics
Denney Wright Named Head Women's Soccer Coach
1/8/2004 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
"We are very excited to welcome Mikki Denney Wright back to the University of Minnesota," Minnesota Athletics Director Joel Maturi said. "Having been a student-athlete here, she experienced firsthand the level of success that we now expect from the program in the future."
Denney Wright has spent the last three years as top assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Missouri. Last season, the Tigers advanced to the national tournament for the first time in four years and earned the school's first-ever NCAA Tournament win in the first round against Eastern Illinois. In addition to her duties at Missouri, Denney Wright also served as head coach of the Missouri State Olympic Development Program.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to be back at Minnesota," Denney Wright said. "The state of the Minnesota, the University, and the Minnesota Athletics program offer all the ingredients to build a great soccer tradition."
Prior to moving to Missouri, Denney Wright was the top assistant and recruiting coordinator at the University of Nebraska-Omaha. The Mavericks claimed the North Central Conference Championship during her one year in Omaha.
Denney Wright began her coaching career as head coach of the Colorado Rush Soccer Club's Under-16 Team from June, 1998 to June, 2000.
During her collegiate playing days, Denney Wright served as team captain of the Golden Gophers in 1995 and '96 as Minnesota earned a Big Ten Championship and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. Denney Wright was a two-time second-team All-Big Ten selection, as well as an All-Central Region second-team honoree in 1996. She still holds the school record for consecutive starts at 63.
Denney Wright transferred to Minnesota after spending two seasons at the University of North Carolina. After a redshirt in 1992 due to a stress fracture, she appeared in 10 matches in 1993, with one start, as the Tar Heels won their second-straight NCAA Championship.
