The coach who played a pivotal role in establishing the women’s soccer team at Kansas State University is resigning after nine seasons with the Wildcats.
Mike Dibbini, the first and only head coach in the program’s history, is stepping down to prioritize his health.
“Due to some health issues I’ve faced over the past 18 to 24 months, I have chosen to step away from K-State soccer to concentrate on my well-being,” Dibbini stated in a press release from K-State. “It has been a privilege to be the inaugural head coach at K-State. I take pride in what we achieved while building this program over the last decade. The current and former players will always hold a special place in my heart.”
K-State athletic director Gene Taylor will initiate a national search for Dibbini’s replacement right away.
“We are grateful for Coach Dibbini and all he has contributed to the development of our soccer program,” Taylor said in a statement. “Starting a program from the ground up is a challenging task, and he and his staff have made significant progress over the past nine years. I hold Mike Dibbini in high regard, and we wish him and his wonderful family the best.”
The Wildcats announced their intention to launch a women’s soccer team in 2014 and appointed Dibbini as the first head coach. He spent over a decade at K-State, with the team playing its inaugural game in 2016.
In his nine seasons in Manhattan, Dibbini led the Wildcats to a record of 38 wins, 98 losses, and 21 draws, including one appearance in the Big 12 Tournament, though they never contended for the NCAA Tournament. This season, K-State struggled, finishing last in the Big 12 with a 3-12-3 record, failing to win any conference games.
