Josh Rife Returns To Alma Mater As Women's Soccer Coach at Indiana

Former Indiana men’s soccer star Josh Rife has been named the Indiana Hoosiers women’s soccer head coach.

Rife, who previously spent six seasons coaching at Ball State had a 49-38-17 overall record, including a 33-18-13 record in the Mid-American Conference at his time in Muncie, Indiana.

Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson selected Josh Rife to take over the program after former Indiana women’s soccer head coach Erwin van Bennekom resigned.

Van Bennekom spent six seasons with the Hoosiers where he had a 44-39-20 record, including a NCAA tournament appearance in 2023.

"This is an exciting day for Indiana Women's Soccer," Dolson said. "Josh's background as a Final Four player for our men's program, coupled with his impressive 20-year coaching resume, caught our eye from the start. Then, once we talked to him, we knew he was the person to lead our program into a new, exciting era.

Rife played two seasons for Indiana men’s soccer from 2000-01, when the Hoosiers made back-to-back College Cup appearances. IU also won the Big Ten title in 2001. Before joining the Indiana soccer program , Rife played two seasons at Texas Christian University (TCU).

The Honolulu, Hawaii native played professional outdoor and indoor soccer. From 2003-2012, he played for the United Soccer League’s Charlotte Eagles before joining VSI Tampa Bay FC in 2012. He also played for the Major Indoor Soccer League’s Philadelphia Kixx, Detroit Ignition and Milwaukee Wave from 2005-2013.