SILOAM SPRINGS, Ark. -- After 13 seasons at the helm of the John Brown University women's soccer program, Dr. Kathleen Paulsen has resigned her position to accept the head coaching role at NCAA Division I Lipscomb University in Tennessee.
Paulsen departs JBU as the program's winningest coach, compiling an overall record of 198-47-21 (.784) while guiding the Golden Eagles through the most successful stretch in the program's history. Under her leadership, John Brown captured seven Sooner Athletic Conference regular season championships and eight tournament titles, qualifying for the NAIA National Championships 10 times in her 13 seasons.
"I could not be more grateful for John Brown University and the opportunities and experiences I have had in this place," Paulsen said, reflecting on her time at JBU and the people who shaped her journey. "I was incredibly young when they entrusted me with this opportunity, and it has shaped me in so many ways. It has shaped my character, my philosophy of coaching, how I view the world, and most importantly, my faith. To all the staff I have worked with over the years, I am deeply grateful for your love, investment, and care into the program.
"I cannot speak more highly of the leadership I have been under over the last 13 years. There are few places in a university setting where the vision of excellence and a deep desire to embrace a Christ-centered culture truly exist within athletics and education. I found that to be true here, and culture is a reflection of leadership. So to Robyn, Chip, Steve (Beers), and Kim (Hadley) – thank you for the incredible leadership, the commitment to God, and all the support for my growth and development."
Paulsen's sides dominated Sooner Athletic play from the start, winning the SAC tournament in her first season with a penalty-kick upset of Oklahoma City. During her tenure, the Blue and Gold posted a 100-9-9 (.886) record in league competition and appeared in 12 of 13 SAC tournament championship matches. That dominance included a 25-match unbeaten streak from 2015-18.
That conference-level success translated consistently onto the national stage. Beginning with the program's first national tournament victory in 2018 and gaining momentum during the pandemic-delayed 2020 season, Paulsen elevated the Golden Eagles into one of the NAIA's most consistent national contenders, leading JBU to eight consecutive appearances in the NAIA National Championships. The Golden Eagles advanced to the national quarterfinal round in both 2024 and 2025, marking two consecutive program-best finishes at the national tournament.
Nationally, the Golden Eagles climbed as high as No. 3 in the NAIA Coaches' Poll and appeared in the NAIA top-25 rankings 99 consecutive times during the regular season, with 102 total top-25 appearances over her tenure. Paulsen's teams also posted two separate 14-match unbeaten streaks, reinforcing the program's consistency across multiple championship-caliber seasons.
"I am very thankful for the 13 seasons Kathleen has directed our women's soccer program," Director of Athletics Robyn Daugherty said, crediting Paulsen for building a culture rooted in both excellence and purpose. "She has guided this program to be a consistent top-10 contender in the NAIA, while also building a team of strong character.
"While most people look at her team's success on the field as a measure of her impact, I had the opportunity to see her pour into her student-athletes and staff daily–always pointing them back to Jesus," she added. "While I am sad to see her move on from JBU, I look forward to seeing her continue to lead young women by combining sport with ministry."
Paulsen's impact extended through the development of her student-athletes and the culture she cultivated within the program. She coached 15 NAIA and five United Soccer Coaches All-America selections, produced five SAC Players of the Year, and guided 104 NAIA Scholar-Athletes, while earning four SAC Coach of the Year honors and the league's Coach of Character award during the 2017-18 season.
"And to the many women who have walked through the JBU women's soccer program, doing daily life with you has been one of the deepest joys of my life," Paulsen said of the relationships built within the program and community. "You were not only my players, but women who have spoken into my life and faith in ways that have changed me. You become like the people you surround yourself with and because of your influence on my life, I am different. You are people that I admire and look up to because of the quality of your character. Not every coach gets to say that, but I know I do.
"I am walking away from this place changed, and I walk forward in a posture of surrender, knowing that the Lord is leading me from this place," she added. "To the greater JBU and local community, I am deeply grateful for your support, and I will miss this place."
"Kathleen has been everything I could hope for in a coach at John Brown University," said President Chip Pollard. "She led her team to unprecedented success on the soccer field, but more importantly, she excelled in discipling her players to become more faithful followers of Jesus.
"She will be deeply missed, but we send her on to Lipscomb with all God's blessings and with every expectation of her ongoing good work," he added.
John Brown University will conduct a national search for Paulsen's successor, who will become just the fourth head coach in program history since its founding in 2002. Joe Thoma (2002-10) and Scott Marksberry (2011-12) preceded Paulsen as the program's first two head coaches.