Theo Egbele returns for his 18th season with the West Virginia University women’s soccer team and his sixth year as the program’s director of operations.
A former Dallas resident, Egbele is responsible for organizing, implementing and maintaining all aspects of the Mountaineers’ team video and game analysis, including editing and processing opponent and self-scout videotape using game analysis software. Additionally, he performs administrative functions for the women’s soccer program.
Since Egbele’s current appointment, the Mountaineers have claimed three Big 12 Conference regular-season titles, three Big 12 Soccer Championship crowns and advanced to the NCAA Tournament each season.
Most recently, the Mountaineers returned to champion form in 2018, winning the 2018 Big 12 Soccer Championship with a 3-0 run through the tournament in November, including a title-clinching 3-0 victory over No. 9 Baylor. WVU advanced to the NCAA Tournament Second Round and finished the year at 15-4-4.
WVU opened the 2017 season ranked No. 1 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll, the program’s first preseason No. 1 ranking. WVU advanced to the NCAA Tournament Third Round, the program’s third consecutive trip, and finished the year at 16-4-3.
WVU enjoyed its most successful season in program history in 2016, as the Mountaineers advanced to their first NCAA College Cup and finished as the NCAA Tournament Runner-Up. The squad was nationally ranked each week and spent eight weeks at No. 1, the program’s first-ever No. 1 ranking. WVU finished with a nation- and program-best 23 wins, as well as an NCAA-best and program-record 18 shutouts.
In 2015, WVU returned to the NCAA Tournament Quarterfinals for the first time since 2007, was nationally ranked in the top 10 the last 15 weeks of the season and set the program’s record for goals (61). The Mountaineers finished the year with 19 wins and 15 shutouts.
Prior to his current appointment, Egbele served as the team’s manager from 2002-14, assisting with weekly practices and games, operating the team’s video equipment at home and away matches and organizing travel equipment, ensuring proper transportation to matches.
The eight-year coach of the Athletica youth club soccer team, Egbele guided teams to three straight (2013-15) state cup championships wins at the U-12, U-13 and U-14 levels and was named the 2012 Mountaineer United Soccer Club Coach of the Year. He also coached the Preston High boys soccer team from 2005-07. Egbele was named the 2017 WVSA Girls Competitive Coach of the Year and earned the 2007 NCAC Coach of the Year honor.
The nine-year coach, founder and president of the WVU men’s club soccer team, Egbele previously competed for the WVU men’s soccer, football and men’s track and field teams. He graduated from WVU with a bachelor’s degree in biology in 2002.
Born and raised in Benin, Nigeria, Egbele and his wife, AdeNike, reside in Morgantown. They are parents to twins, a son, Ezekiel, and a daughter, Eliana.
