Dean Ward joined the University of Dayton women's soccer staff in February 2017 and just completed his fourth season on Eric Golz’s staff.
Ward works within all areas of the program including on field coaching, video analysis, GPS sports performance monitoring, managing social media and serves as the Recruiting Coordinator for the Flyers.
Ward has helped the Flyers earn A-10 Tournament berths in every season – extending the proud tradition of 24 consecutive post season appearances for the Flyers. Ward has aided the development of seven all A-10 Conference Rookie team players, seven all A-10 Conference Team players and seven all A-10 Academic Team players. Alexis Kiehl was named A-10 Offensive Player of the Year in 2017-18 with Itala Gemelli picking up the A-10 Rookie of the Year in 2020-21.
Prior to arriving at Dayton, Ward served on staff at the University of Tennessee under head coach Brian Pensky for five years. While on staff the Volunteers compiled a 50-36-16 record including three ten+ win seasons. Ward assisted in recruiting classes touted as No.3 (2015) and 11 (2014) in the nation.
Prior to arriving at Tennessee, Ward served as assistant coach to Joe Mallia at Loyola Marymount University (Calif.). Before joining the staff at LMU, Ward enjoyed success at Marymount College (NAIA) in Palos Verdes, Calif., as head coach, leading the Mariners to The Peace Cup Championship in his first season. He served as assistant coach for both the men's program and the women's program for two years before taking over as the head coach for the women's program in 2010.
Ward also coached in youth soccer as a Director of Player Development for Manhattan Beach Sand & Surf Soccer Club in Los Angeles, CA and coach of FC Alliance ECNL teams based in Knoxville, TN. Ward served as an assistant coach in 2015 with the USYS Region III ODP team and served as a regional staff coach for Region III in 2014 and 2015.
A native of Birmingham, England, Ward graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University in 2006 with a bachelor's degree in sport science with coaching and exercise science. Ward holds a NSCAA Premier coaching diploma and NSCAA National Goalkeeping Diploma.
