The Kagan File
Birthday: October 30, 1981
Hometown: Newington, Conn.
Alma Mater (Year): Southern New Hampshire University (2002)
Degree: Bachelor's in Sports Management | Master's degree in Business Administration
Coaching Experience:
2024-present: Head Coach, Green Bay
2021-24: Assistant Coach, Washington State
2019-21: Head Coach, Oregon State
Playing Experience:
1999-2002: Southern New Hampshire University
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Matt Kagan was named the 15th Head Coach in Phoenix women's soccer history on November 29, 2024.
During his first season on the Palouse, Kagan guided the Washington State backline to the second-best goals-against average in program history, allowing just 0.59 goals per game. The Cougars made an NCAA Second Round appearance that year, knocking off Montana in the opening round. In Kagan's four years there, the Cougars went 39-21-18.
Kagan will oversee the rebuilding of the Phoenix program, an area in which he has some experience. At Oregon State, Kagan took over the program as head coach in 2019 following a 2-17 season from the Beavers the season prior. Oregon State went on to finish 11-6-2 the following season, the best turnaround in the NCAA that season. In addition, Kagan revamped the Beavers' offense as OSU went from scoring six goals the previous year to 31 in 2019. Playing a pandemic-altered season in the spring of 2021, the Beavers made the most of their shortened campaign coming up with a signature win early in the spring as OSU defeated No. 3 Stanford, 2-1, for just the second win over the Cardinal in program history.
Before becoming head coach at Oregon State, Matt was the Associate Head Coach for Mississippi State, where he helped the Bulldogs qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history in 2018. The Bulldogs achieved a 9-5-4 record in his first season with the team, their best record in 16 years.
Kagan has achieved more than just making the NCAA Tournament but has great experience in finding success within the tournament as well. Kagan was the Associate Head Coach at Loyola Marymount when they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen, grabbing victories over No. 13 ranked California followed by Minnesota. In his final season with the program, Loyola finished 11-5-3 including wins over nationally ranked teams like No. 15 Pepperdine and No. 18 Long Beach State. Additionally, Kagan served as an Assistant Coach at the University of Miami from 2011-13, where the Hurricanes advanced to the NCAA Tournament and the second round after defeating Alabama in round one in 2011.
In addition, Kagan was an Assistant Coach at Evansville, when they advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2008 after winning the Missouri Valley Conference and being a member of the conference's coaching staff of the year.
Matt Kagan piloted Worcester State from 2005-08, where the Lancers saw NCAA DIII Tournament action in three of his four seasons, including a Sweet Sixteen bid in 2007. Kagan led the squad to an overall record of 45-15-3 while boasting a 16-1-1 conference record during his tenure.
As an Assistant Coach at Assumption College, Kagan aided the Greyhounds to a Sweet Sixteen Appearance in the National Tournament in 2004, ranking as high as 14th among DII schools in the country.
Kagan is a 2002 graduate of Southern New Hampshire University where he led his team to three NCAA Tournament appearances including a national runner-up finish as a senior. He earned both a bachelor's (sports management) and a master's degree (business administration) from Southern New Hampshire.
