UT Dallas Adds Former Tar Heel Sterling Mueller To Women's Coaching Staff
UT Dallas head women's soccer coach Kanute Drugan has announced that former University of North Carolina forward Sterling Mueller has been hired as the Comets' new assistant coach. Mueller, who also serve as UTD's assistant women's tennis coach, will begin her duties at UTD on Monday, May, 19.
"I am thrilled to welcome Sterling Mueller to our coaching staff," said Drugan, who was announced the program's head coach in February., "She brings to UT Dallas a demonstrated commitment to educational and competitive excellence; two qualities inherent within the core values of our women's soccer program., Her ability to present a demanding yet enthusiastic personality is a coaching trait our current players welcome and embrace."
Mueller was originally a walk-on at UNC after graduation from East Chapel Hill High School before suffering injury in her first collegiate season. She then overcame her injury to earn not only significant playing time, but a starting role as a scholarship player for the Tar Heels one year later. She finished her career with 82 appearances with 21 starts for UNC, scoring eight goals and adding seven career assists.
"I have been interested in staying involved in college athletics since I graduated from UNC, but wanted to make sure it was the right opportunity," said Mueller. "When I made the decision to join UTD's women's soccer staff I knew it was the right choice because of the university's commitment to student-athletes and the school's vision for the future."
Upon graduation from UNC in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education, Mueller earned a second bachelor's degree in studio art with an emphasis in graphic design from UNC-Greensboro in 2012. She worked the UNC Girls' Soccer Camp for five years while playing under legendary Tar Heel head coach Anson Dorrance, and later coached youth soccer teams in the Greensboro United Soccer Association. After moving to the Metroplex last summer, Mueller spent one year as the assistant girls' soccer coach at Trinity Christian Academy in Addison.
"UTD's stellar academic reputation and the investments I've seen towards continuing to make UTD into a school that attracts students and athletes alike," Mueller continued, "it shows that UTD is conscious of the connection between academics, athletics and school pride to create a culture that makes UTD a dynamic and thriving university., The women's soccer program's competitive history and its vision for the future something I want to be a part of. Additionally, UTD's decision to hire Kanute Drugan, one of the most successful women's soccer coaches in NCAA D-III history, shows a commitment to excellence and a drive to maintain a positive athletic environment for the program to grow and develop as players and people."
"Sterling's background and experience as a player and a coach fits perfectly with the new direction and new goals we intend to pursue for our program," added Drugan., "Our team will certainly benefit from her leadership and coaching contributions., Sterling is a wonderful addition to our program, our athletic department and our university."
Mueller and her husband, Keegan, currently reside in Dallas.
