By Ron Smith
December 17, 2024
 
(SANTA BARBARA, Calif.) Westmont Women's Soccer head coach Jenny Jaggard has announced that she will be departing Westmont to assume the head coaching position at Northwest Nazarene (Idaho). Jaggard came to the Warriors in 2019 and since then has accumulated a record of 68-24-16.
 
"I have been so blessed to serve and lead this program for the past six years," said Jaggard. "I love Westmont College and all of the people that make this place such a special community. Saying good bye to this team is one of the hardest things I've ever done. I love these young women like family.
 
"Whether they know it or not, they have taught me at least as much as I have taught them over the years. We have gone through the ups and downs of life and competition together and that forms a special bond that we will always share and which I will always cherish."
 
During Jaggard's Westmont career, she guided the Warriors to four NAIA National Championship appearances, including three trips to the final site in Gulf Beach, Alabama. Her teams also won four Golden State Athletic Conference regular season championships and three GSAC Tournament championships.
 
This past season, Jaggard guided the Warriors to a berth in the PacWest Championship Tournament in Westmont's first year of NCAA Division II and PacWest eligibility.
 
"We are incredibly grateful for Jenny's contributions and commitment to our women's soccer program," said Robert Ruiz, Westmont's director of athletics. She poured her heart into maintaining a tradition of excellence on and off the field. We are thankful for her impact and leadership over the course of her tenure. We wish her well in her next chapter.
 
"Westmont women's soccer has been a pillar of success for decades. It is a storied program rooted in success both on the pitch and off. The track record of successful leaders coming through the program is exemplary. I have the utmost confidence that we will identify the right leader to continue to build on the longstanding tradition of excellence in this program. We will begin considering candidates immediately."
 
During Jaggard's four years competing in the NAIA and GSAC, she produced three NAIA All-Americans and 20 all-conference players. In 2019, she was named the GSAC Coach of the Year.
 
Last season, four of Jaggard's players were named to the All-PacWest Team and 23 received Academic All-PacWest honors.
 
"As the program transitions into new leadership, I am confident that God will continue to bless Westmont women's soccer," expressed Jaggard. "This program has a rich tradition of success on and off the field that stretches way back before my time here. I am confident that this success will carry forward into the future under new leadership. I believe that Westmont women's soccer has a bright future ahead.
 
"I am very thankful to the leadership here who gave me the opportunity to lead this program as a first-time head college soccer coach. Their belief in me and the support they have provided has made all of the difference in my experience here.
 
"Specifically, I would like to thank Dave Odell for having the confidence and vision to hire me and give me this opportunity. I would like to thank Rob Ruiz for his leadership, support and mentorship as we have transitioned to DII. I would like to thank my assistant coaches Lauren Matthias, Dan Ribbens, J.P. Verhees and Gabi Young who have poured out their time, talents and love to support me and the program.
 
"I would also like to thank Dave Wolf for his mentorship and wisdom over the years as a seasoned, veteran coach.  I would like to thank Dr. Beebe for his very special leadership presence on our campus and the many words of encouragement he has given me throughout my time here. I would like to thank Ron Smith for his example of tireless service to all of our athletic programs and his kind words of wisdom that have kept me grounded in my calling as a coach, no matter what the result after a game. I would like to thank our campus pastor Scott Lisea and his wife Jamie for their hospitality, loud cheering at games, and spiritual presence on our campus.
 
"There are so many others that have positively impacted me in this community, but it would take too long to thank each by name. I am thankful for all of my fellow Westmont colleagues, my players and their families, alumni and supporters. You all are what make Westmont a special place. GO WARRIORS!"