Richardson Hires Dang Pibulvech as Assistant Soccer Coach at Tulsa
2/11/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Feb. 11, 2004
Tulsa, Oklahoma - University of Tulsa first-year Head Women's Soccer Coach Rena Richardson announced today the hiring of Dang Pibulvech (Pi-Bull-Vich) as an assistant coach for the Golden Hurricane.
Pibulvech, 49, is one of the all-time winningest women's soccer coaches in NCAA history. He ranks 18th on the NCAA's list for career victories with a record of 197-155-23 in 20 seasons as a head coach. During his collegiate career, Pibulvech led his teams to six NCAA Final Four appearances, nine NCAA Tournaments and has coached 25 Division I All-Americans. Pibulvech was a three-time West Region and two-time Central Region Coach of the Year as awarded by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
"Dang is going to have a tremendous impact on the Tulsa women's soccer program," Richardson said. "He is a very committed and genuine person, who will bring a wealth of experience and knowledge of the game to our team. Dang understands what its takes to win and compete for a national championship because he has done that at the highest level."
Previously, Pibulvech was the first head soccer coach at the University of Nevada from 2000-04. He has started and built soccer programs at Colorado College (1983-1991), Washington (1991-1994), Texas (1994-1999) and Nevada. Before Nevada, he spent the 1999 campaign as an assistant coach at the University of Colorado.
As the first head coach at Texas, Pibulvech's teams qualified for the post-season conference tournament every year and were ranked in the Central Region and National polls on numerous occasions.
During his nine-year career at Colorado College, he led the program to eight consecutive NCAA post-season tournaments and advanced to the NCAA Final Four on four occasions. In 1986 and 1989, his team finished as the national runner up. The Tigers were ranked as high as second in the nation from 1987-1991. During that time, Pibulvech also served as the Regional Head Coach for the United States Soccer Federation Girls' West Regional Olympic Development Program (1988-1991).
"I'm thrilled to be here at Tulsa, Pibulvech said. "I am winding down in my soccer coaching career and part of my motivation and interest in coming to TU was to have a chance to work with such an up-and-coming coach like Rena. It's obvious from the facilities and the support that The University of Tulsa is committed to a first-class soccer program."
Pibulvech also served as an assistant coach to the U.S. Women's National Team at the U.S. Olympic Festival Games and Pre-World Championship European Tour in 1991.
Pibulvech's coaching background is not limited to women's soccer. His involvement with men's programs dates back to 1976, where he served as the head coach of the University of Missouri's men's club team.
His last stint with a men's program was with the USISL professional team, Austin Lone Stars, in 1995. During his tenure, he led the team to the Regional finals.
Pibulvech spent three years building the men's program at Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo., from 1978-1980 before heading to Orlando, Fla., where he served as the men's and women's assistant coach at Central Florida for three years. While at Central Florida, he helped lead these teams to top 10 national rankings all three years, an AIAW final (1981), and a NCAA final in 1982.
Pibulvech and his wife, Patrise, have four children: Alanna (24), Kaila (23), Leisha (22), Kaleina (9), and two grandsons, Branden (7) and LarRyzen (2).