The Chicago Red Stars hired Nathan Kipp on December 5, 2008 as Goalkeeper Coach.
Kipp comes to the Red Stars from Duke University, where he has served as goalkeeper coach for the women’s soccer team since 2006. During his three-year tenure in Durham, NC, the Blue Devils advanced to the final 16 once and the Elite 8 twice. In coaching stints prior to joining Duke, Kipp was the goalkeeper coach at the University of North Carolina – Greensboro in 2005 and he served in the same capacity at Iona College in 2003 and 2004. Hayes was the head coach of Iona College at the time, so the Red Stars skipper knows the quality of the coach she is getting.
“Nathan's experience will be invaluable at the WPS level,” explained Hayes. “He is one of the very best and I'm delighted to be working with him again. His knowledge and modern ideas will be well appreciated by all at the Red Stars.”
Despite the success he was having with the Blue Devils, Kipp could not resist the lure of the new professional league and being reunited with his former colleague.
"I'm thrilled to be a part of the inaugural season in the WPS,” said Kipp. “I firmly believe our country needs a great professional league in order to develop the best women's soccer players, so I couldn't pass up the chance to be involved in the building of such a league.”
He added, “My two prior seasons working for Emma were fantastic, so when she asked if I'd be interested in joining her in Chicago, it was a no-brainer. I think she's one of the best young female coaches in the game, so I'm really looking forward to being a part of her Red Stars coaching staff.
Kipp is a native of Gambier, Ohio, and played for the Carolina Dynamo in 2001 and 2002. He went on to capture United Soccer League’s Goalkeeper of the Year honors after leading the league with a 0.87 goals against average in 2002.