RIVERSIDE, Calif. – UC Riverside Athletics Director Wesley Mallette announced today that Mike Dibbini has been selected as the new head coach of the Highlanders women's soccer program. Following an extensive nationwide search led by Katy Young Staudt of TurnkeyZRG, Dibbini will bring a wealth of coaching experience, proven track record of success, and passion for developing student-athletes to the UCR community.

"Mike Dibbini is an exceptional leader whose coaching philosophy aligns with the culture, mission, and values of UC Riverside Athletics," said Mallette. "His ability to build competitive programs while fostering academic and personal growth for his student-athletes makes him the ideal fit to lead our UCR Women's Soccer program. We are happy to welcome Mike, his wife Trina, and their children Jada and Kadin to our UCR family." Mallette continued, "I would also like to thank Gerardo Hidalgo for his tremendous effort stepping into the role of interim head coach this past season and leading our team. Gerardo was outstanding and we thank him for his commitment and dedication to UCR Women's Soccer."

Dibbini joins UC Riverside with nearly 20 years of collegiate head coaching experience, highlighted by an impressive career record of 303-176-52 (.619). Most recently, he served as the inaugural head coach for Kansas State University's Women's Soccer program, where he guided the Wildcats from their inception in 2016 to multiple program milestones, including a Big 12 Soccer Championship appearance in 2022. Under his leadership, K-State achieved historic academic and athletic success, producing an NWSL Draft selection, a MAC Hermann Trophy candidate, and more than 100 Academic All-Big 12 honorees.

Before his tenure at Kansas State, Dibbini led Cal Poly Pomona to the NCAA Division II West Region title game in 2014, earning a No. 16 national ranking and a 15-6-1 record—one of the best seasons in program history. Earlier in his career, he built powerhouse programs at Kansas Wesleyan University, where he amassed a combined record of 244-65-25 (.768) and captured 24 conference titles between the men's and women's teams.

A 12-time Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Coach of the Year, Dibbini holds a Master's in Business Administration and a Bachelor's in Elementary Education from Kansas Wesleyan. As a player, he was a four-time All-American and National Small College Player of the Year in 1997.

"I am honored to join UC Riverside and lead the women's soccer program into its next chapter," said Dibbini. "This is an incredible opportunity to build on the program's foundation and compete at the highest level in the Big West Conference. I look forward to developing our student-athletes on and off the field and contributing to the Highlanders' tradition of excellence. I would like to thank Director of Athletics Wes Mallette, Sr. Associate AD and Senior Woman Administrator Michelle Almazan, Sr. Associate AD of Compliance and Soccer Sports Administrator Josh Smith, Executive Analyst and Coordinator to the AD Chelsea Pfohl, Katy Young Staudt of Turnkey ZRG and everyone else associated with the search. My family and I are thrilled to join the UCR family."
 
The UC Riverside Athletics community is proud to welcome Coach Dibbini and looks forward to the impact his leadership will bring to our women's soccer program.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT COACH DIBBINI

"Coach Dibbini has not only been a coach to me but also a mentor, and great friend. I am very excited for him to get back to his roots in California, where he has been a proven winner, elite recruiter of talent in California, and has an incredible reputation already. His knowledge and connections to some of the top clubs in Southern California will prove to be a massive advantage in the Big West. I'm excited to see him not only succeed on the field but show his ability in the community of Riverside."
 
Gabe Romo, Head Women's Soccer Coach
Michigan State University

"I'm happy for Mike and his family. Good coaches and more importantly, good people are hard to find. His experiences should work in his favor as he looks to revitalize the UCR Women's soccer program. He's a good dude who will do a good job."
 
Eric Bell, Head Women's Soccer Coach
TCU
 
"Mike is not just a fierce competitor on the field, but a mentor who deeply invests in the growth and well-being of his student-athletes. He understands the evolving landscape of college athletics, balancing the demands of high-level performance with a genuine care for each player's personal development. His leadership is a perfect blend of passion, empathy, and awareness, driving both success and character in every player he mentors. He is extremely committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, he creates an environment where all voices are valued, and every athlete is empowered to reach their full potential—both as players and as people. He is an amazing coach and an amazing person."
 
Julie Woodward, Head Women's Soccer Coach
Seattle University