GREEN BAY, Wis. – Director of Athletics Josh Moon named Julie Grutzner the next head coach of the Green Bay women's soccer program Wednesday afternoon. Grutzner served as the interim head coach throughout the second half of the 2021 season and led the Phoenix to a Horizon League semifinal appearance. Grutzner is the 13th head coach in program history.
 
"I would like to thank Chancellor Alexander, Josh Moon, Joey Daniels, Jermaine Rolle, and the rest of the search committee for the opportunity to be the next women's soccer head coach at UW-Green Bay", Grutzner said. "I would also like to thank the current team and my coaching staff for supporting me through this transition. 
 
"It has been my dream to return to my alma mater and help lift the program to a high level in the Horizon League," Grutzner continued. "I am excited about the challenge and have no doubt our players and staff will work hard to continue the success from this past season."
 
Grutzner, a 1995 UW-Green Bay graduate, returned to Green Bay prior to the 2021 offseason as an assistant coach. The Madison, Wis. native enjoyed a successful playing career with the Phoenix, having helped lead the women's soccer team to a regional ranking and its most successful record to date at 13-4-2 during her junior campaign. She was named team captain her senior year and finished the season on the All-Conference Second Team and All-Tournament Team. She capped a stellar playing career with two years of semi-professional soccer for the Madison Freeze (1996-97).
 
"We are very excited for Julie to lead Phoenix women's soccer," said Moon. "She has done a tremendous job during her time here and has a very detailed action plan to take this program to the next level. Julie brings positivity and passion every day and she has an extra appreciation for this University and program as a soccer alum."
 
The Phoenix are coming off of their best season since 2014. GB made their first Horizon League Tournament appearance since 2014, grabbing the four seed with an 8-3-6 record. Under Grutzner's leadership, the Phoenix registered an emphatic 4-0 HL quarterfinal win over No. 5 Cleveland State before falling 2-0 to the eventual HL champions, Milwaukee. GB sported one of the HL's stingiest defenses during the 2021 season, allowing only 16 goals in 17 games played. Three players were named All-League under Grutzner in 2021, with Savanna Hayes highlighting the list for the Phoenix with a First Team selection, while McKayla Kertscher received a Second Team nod, and Emily Sirois earned a spot on the All-Freshman team.
 
"Julie is exactly what our women's soccer program needs and wants right now in a head coach," said Joey Daniels, Associate AD and search committee chair. "She has a genuine care and passion for her student-athletes and demonstrated her coaching ability with the team's on-field success this past season. As a former athlete and graduate of UW-Green Bay, Julie has a drive to see this program succeed and I am confident she will keep our momentum going."
 
Most recently, Grutzner served as an assistant coach at Vassar College and head coach of the women's soccer at SUNY Purchase, both in New York. Before her time at Purchase, Grutzner spent 13 years at the helm of Oregon High School's girls' soccer program where she boasted a career coaching record of 169-62-32 overall. Under her guidance, the Oregon girls team won the WIAA Division 2 State Title in 2015, were runner-up in 2016 and 2018, and were state qualifiers in 2017. Following the 2015 season, Grutzner was named Wisconsin Soccer Coaches Association Coach of the Year, NSCAA WI Coach of the Year, and the Wisconsin State Journal All-Area Coach of the Year. She returned as the WI State Journal Coach of the Year in 2016, was co-coach in 2017, and won it again in 2018. Grutzner also received the Madison Sports Hall of Fame Special Recognition Award for the undefeated 2015 season (23-0-1).
 
In addition to her notable coaching career at OHS, Grutzner was a teacher at St. Ann School for 10 years (2008-18) and also served as the top assistant coach at Edgewood College from 2015-17. She also coached for the Wisconsin ODP (Olympic Development) program for several years. Prior to that, she was the assistant coach at Middleton High School and Robbinsdale Armstrong High School in Minnesota. Grutzner also coached club soccer for the Oregon Soccer Club, Madison 56ers, and the Wayzata Soccer Club.
 
Grutzner was a three-sport athlete at Madison Lafollette High School, competing year-round on the volleyball, basketball, and soccer teams. She also played for the Madison 56ers.
 
Grutzner holds a USSF C License, USSF Youth National License, United Soccer Coaches Association National Diploma, United Soccer Coaches Association Advanced National Diploma, and a United Soccer Association Level 1 Goalkeeper License.
 
Upon her hire, Grutzner becomes the only female women's soccer head coach in the Horizon League.
 
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