CHICAGO – Former William & Mary women's soccer standout Jill Ellis '88 announced that her storied career as the manager of the United States Women's National Team will come to an end in October.
Named the head coach in May of 2014, Ellis led the United States to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and the US became the second team to repeat as World Champions. She is the first coach in Women's World Cup history to win back-to-back World Cup titles and just the second-ever to accomplish that feat in FIFA history (Vittorio Pozzo, Italy 1934 and 1938). Furthermore, she has 102 wins as the manager of the US side, has coached the most matches among US managers (127), and has not lost a match in a major tournament (Olympics and World Cup). She was named the FIFA World Coach of the Year in 2015.
Originally from Portsmouth, England, Ellis played forward for the Tribe from 1984-87. She finished her career with 32 goals, 19 assists, and ranks ninth in career points with 83, while earning Third Team All-America honors during her senior season. She helped the Tribe to the NCAA tournament all four seasons, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 1987. Ellis earned her degree from William & Mary in English Literature and Composition.
Ellis will guide the team through its victory tour, which was announced earlier this summer. The US will play Ireland on Aug. 3 (in Pasadena, Calif.), Portugal on Aug. 29 (in Philadelphia, Pa.) and Sept 3 (St. Paul, Minn.), and will conclude with an unnamed opponent on Oct. 3 and Oct. 6 at locations to be announced.
