Lipscomb's Shocking Choice: Why Dr. Kathleen Paulsen's Hiring as Women's Soccer Coach Could Change Everything!

NASHVILLE, TN – Lipscomb University is welcoming Dr. Kathleen Paulsen as the new head coach of the Bisons women’s soccer program, a significant move that reflects the institution's commitment to excellence both on and off the field. The announcement was made by Philip Hutcheson, the University's Director of Athletics, who expressed excitement about her leadership and vision for the team.

Dr. Paulsen comes to Lipscomb after an impressive 13-year tenure at John Brown University (JBU), where she built a reputation not only for competitive success but also for prioritizing player development rooted in faith. Her coaching resume is notable: she boasts a career winning percentage of .787 and led her teams to seven Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) regular-season championships and eight SAC tournament titles. In recent years, her teams achieved an exceptional record of 96-19-7 since 2020, underscoring her ability to elevate competitive performance.

The impact of her leadership is highlighted by JBU’s consistent presence in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll, where her teams appeared 98 times. She has earned recognition as the SAC Coach of the Year on four occasions and recently directed the Golden Eagles to consecutive NAIA Elite Eight appearances in 2024 and 2025. "When we began our search for the next leader of our women’s soccer program, we looked for someone who embodied the ‘Highest Level. Higher Calling.’ mission of Lipscomb Athletics—someone who pursues excellence on the pitch with the same passion they have for spiritual formation," Hutcheson remarked. "In Kathleen, we found exactly that."

Dr. Paulsen’s coaching philosophy is underpinned by three pillars: competitive excellence, spiritual formation, and injury prevention. This approach aligns seamlessly with Lipscomb's mission, as she is dedicated to nurturing student-athletes' holistic development. Her academic credentials include a PhD in kinesiology, with a dissertation focused on the integration of technology, such as heart rate and GPS data, in sports performance and talent identification tools. This commitment to education and development ensures her players excel not just in soccer but in their academic pursuits as well.

Her influence extends beyond tactical training. At JBU, she cultivated a Christ-centered culture emphasizing identity, humility, and servant leadership, aspects she plans to maintain at Lipscomb. "I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Lipscomb family,” Dr. Paulsen stated. “My goal has always been to lead programs that challenge student-athletes to reach their full potential as players, students, and followers of Christ. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place here and competing for championships in the ASUN."

Her professional qualifications further enhance her credentials; she currently holds the position of NAIA Women’s Soccer President and participates in the NAIA National Rater and All-America committees. Additionally, she possesses advanced coaching diplomas from the United Soccer Coaches, including the Advanced National Diploma and the Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.

Dr. Paulsen's playing career also deserves mention. As a four-year letterwinner at the University of Arkansas, she demonstrated remarkable consistency, competing in every game during her collegiate career with 77 appearances. This work ethic has translated into her coaching results as she has produced 11 NAIA All-Americans and five SAC Players of the Year, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the philosophy of "Life Beyond Sport."

The hiring of Dr. Paulsen is more than just a strategic move for Lipscomb's athletic program; it signifies a broader commitment to integrating faith and sport at the NCAA Division I level. With her championship pedigree and holistic approach to player development, the Bisons women's soccer program is poised for significant achievements under her guidance.