Former University of Portland All-American defender, Olympic medalist, and U.S. Women’s National Team assistant coach Michelle French was named the new women’s soccer head coach at Portland in December of 2017. French is the sixth overall head coach in program history and fourth at the NCAA Division I level for the Pilots.

French returns to her Portland roots where she helped lead the Pilots to three NCAA Final Four appearances and was a national player of the year finalist as a senior in 1998.

“Michelle brings a wealth of experience, passion and leadership to our storied women’s soccer program,” UP Vice President for Athletics Scott Leykam said. “Among a diverse and highly-qualified pool of candidates, Michelle really stood out to be a great fit. She has thrived on personal and professional development and has decided to leave a high profile coaching position to take on this new challenge. Our fans, alumni, faculty and staff will love working with her in building on the tradition of excellence for Portland soccer, both on and off the field. We are thrilled to have her back on The Bluff and know that she will infuse a great deal of excitement into the program.”

“I’m thrilled to return to the University of Portland,” French said. “This University has been such an integral part of my journey and the opportunity to return in this capacity is a dream come true. I look forward to working with Vice President for Athletics, Scott Leykam, the athletics department staff, and the broader University to invest in the development of our student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. To follow in the immediate footsteps of Garrett Smith, and the legendary coach Clive Charles, a man that was an incredible friend and mentor, is hard to articulate. I’m overwhelmed and honored to now represent this great institution and the storied history of the women’s soccer program.”

French, a 1998 graduate of Portland, has a strong pedigree as both a player and coach. In addition to a decorated career on the pitch at the collegiate, professional and international levels, she has spent the last 12 years coaching in the U.S. Soccer system, most recently as an assistant coach since December of 2017 with the senior Women’s National Team. She also served on the USA Women’s National Team staff at both the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2016 Olympics.

A native of Fort Lewis, Wash., French previously was the first full-time head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team from 2013 until her appointment in January with the senior squad. She coached the USA at the 2014 and 2016 U-20 Women’s World Cups. She was on the shortlist for the CONCACAF Female Coach of the Year Award in 2016.

French served as a scout for U.S. Club Soccer since 2009 and was an assistant coach for various U.S. Youth National Teams at the U-14, U-15, U-17 and U-18 levels since 2005. She holds a U.S. Soccer “A” License and has experience in the college game, serving as an assistant at UCLA in 2002 and as a volunteer assistant at the University of Washington in 2005.

French also coached in the Washington Girls’ Olympic Development Program and on the club level with various programs including FC Portland and Eastside FC. She was the Seattle Sounders FC head coach in 2012. French also was chosen as a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee’s first cohort for the National Team Coaches Leadership Education Program (NTCLEP) in 2014.

As a player, French earned 14 caps for the U.S. Women’s National Team from 1997-01. She was a member of the 2000 Olympic Team in Australia that claimed a Silver Medal. She also was on the U.S. Under-21 National Team from 1994-99, serving as the team captain the last two years.

At the club level, French played all three seasons in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA), serving as co-captain for the Washington Freedom in 2001 and played for the San Jose CyberRays in 2002-03. She joined the Seattle Sounders of the W-League in 2004 and 2006-09, earning multiple all-league honors and leading the league in assists in 2004.

Collegiately, French was a four-year starter at defender for Portland from 1995-98 and led the Pilots to three NCAA Final Four appearances and three West Coast Conference championships (1995-97). She was a freshman on the 1995 team that reached the program’s first NCAA championship match, losing to Notre Dame in overtime, 1-0. As a senior in 1998, French and the Pilots played an epic four overtime match against perennial power North Carolina in the semifinals that ended with a 1-0 loss.

As a senior in 1998, French earned First Team All-American honors and was one of three finalists for the 1998 MAC/Hermann Trophy national player of the year award. She was the 1995 WCC Freshman of the Year and earned Soccer America Freshman All-America honors, twice earned All-WCC First Team honors (1997, 1998) and garnered honorable mention recognition her first two years on The Bluff. She ranks sixth on UP’s all-time charts with 35 career assists, while her 14 assists during in 1997 are tied for third best in single-season history. French also twice earned WCC All-Academic Team honors.

The University of Portland has a strong and proud women's soccer tradition and is one of just four programs to win multiple NCAA Championships in the sport (2002, 2005). The Pilots have made eight Final Four appearances (1994-96, 1998, 2000-02, 2005) and won 13 WCC Championships. The Pilots led the nation in average attendance for 10 consecutive seasons from 2005 through 2014.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MICHELLE FRENCH

“The University could have gone in so many different directions with this being a dream job for many, so I am excited as a proud UP alum to see that the school was able to keep it in the family and hire Michelle French. She will continue the tradition and mission of UP soccer, built by Clive Charles, that so many of us care about deeply. Michelle is someone who knows the school and is exceptionally qualified to carry on what those before her built. She has been at the highest level of the game as both a player and coach, just like Clive. Not many in our sport have those credentials and she is now in a position to give back so much in all facets of life to future players, just like Clive gave to her and so many proud University alums.”

- Tiffeny Milbrett, Three-Time All-American, U.S. National Team (1991-2005), Gold Medalist at 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup, current head coach Colorado Storm (ECNL)

“Congratulations to Michelle! It is exciting to see an alum and someone who fully embraces what Clive Charles and the University of Portland stands for get this opportunity. Michelle is knowledgeable about the game and will help UP continue to grow. She will create positive experiences in the players’ lives, both on the field and off of it as well.”

- Shannon Mac Millan, 1995 MAC/Hermann Trophy Winner, U.S. National Team (1994-06), Gold Medalist at 1996 Olympics and 1999 World Cup, current Executive Director, DMCV Sharks

“It is awesome to have an alum of the program that is a wonderful female role model to take over. Michelle has competed and coached at the highest level and I know that she is going to do a wonderful job at UP. She knows what it takes for the program to be successful. She will be a dynamic recruiter, mentor and leader of those young women. I am personally excited for both Michelle and the program.”

- Lauren Hanson, NCAA Championship player (2002) and assistant coach (2005) with Portland, current Head Coach at San Jose State

“A wonderful hire for the University of Portland. Michelle French is an outstanding coach and special person who will ensure her student-athletes reach their full potential. She has coached some of the best players in the world and coached on the biggest of stages. This world class experience will benefit the program, athletic department and ultimately the young women she will coach. I am excited to watch Michelle succeed in this new chapter of her coaching career.”

- Graeme Abel, U.S. Women’s National Team Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach, previously U.S. U20 WNT World Cup Team Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach

“Michelle French is one of the best coaches this nation has developed. Her attention to details and standards of excellence started as a player and was further developed while playing for Clive Charles, with her great teammates at Portland, and our Women’s National Team. Her passion for the game, for people, and for the University of Portland is palpable within minutes of meeting her. She will be an amazing role model for the players and community and she will help players maximize their potential. She’s bringing back to Portland unparalleled experience gained while leading our U20 National Team through two World Cup Cycles, and helping our Women’s National Team win the World Cup in 2015. Portland women’s soccer will be primed to return to national prominence under her vision and leadership.”

- April Heinrichs, U.S. Women’s Youth National Team Director