Stephen Shirley was named the head women's soccer coach at UT Dallas in January 2023.

In his first season, the Comets went 9-2-7 overall and 2-1-5 in the American Southwest Conference, placing fourth. Shirley's 2023 squad started the season 9-0-6, including eight consecutive shutouts, breaking the school record for longest unbeaten streak at 15 games. He coached two United Soccer Coaches All-Region selections and eight all-conference picks along with the ASC Goalkeeper of the Year.

During the 2021 and 2022 seasons as an assistant with the men's team, the Comets compiled a 19-11-8 record and reached the ASC Championship Semifinals both seasons. Shirley has coached 16 All-ASC selections and four All-Region picks.

A former volunteer assistant for the Comets, Shirley came to the Comets after serving as the Director of Coaching for the North Texas Celtic Futbol Club in Denton, where he led the development of players from the age of 10 to 18 years old and expanded the organization from 15 to 45 teams.

A native of Aberdeen, Scotland, Shirley represented the USA national team at under 18 and under 20 levels. He was drafted by Sporting KC, then Kansas City Wizards, with the No. 29 overall pick in the 2006 MLS Draft and spent two seasons with the squad before making stops with the Rochester Rhinos of the United Soccer League and Montrose FC in Scotland.

Shirley's first coaching stop was with Montrose, serving as the team's Director of Soccer Academy and reserve team Assistant Coach. He spent two seasons with the Comets as a volunteer coach from 2016-17, helping guide UTD to an ASC regular season title and a trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament in 2016.

He began his collegiate playing career at the University of Mobile in Alabama while he helped his squad to an NAIA National Championship in 2002. Shirley then transferred to Virginia Commonwealth University, where he served as a starter the Rams and led VCU to the NCA A Division I Sweet 16 in 2003 and the Elite 8 in 2004. As a senior for the Rams, he was a first team all-conference pick and a Second Team All-American.

Shirley has his class "A" coaching license from the United States Soccer Federation and received his bachelor's degree from the University of North Texas in 2011, double majoring in Political Science and recreation and Leisure Studies.

Year

Rec.

Pct.

Conf.

Rec.

Pct.

Place

Postseason

2023

9-2-7

.694

ASC

2-1-5

.562

4th

ASC Quarterfinals