Nate Lie, an exceptional recruiter, meticulous tactician, and an experienced postseason contender has been named the fourth head coach in Kansas Soccer history, Director of Athletics Travis Goff announced today. Lie has signed a 5-year contract that will run through the 2028 season.
“This was an exhaustive search that was highlighted by a deep pool of accomplished, strong leaders,” Goff said. “Throughout it all, Nate Lie stood out with his diverse experiences, his unwavering values, his fierce competitiveness, and his ability to build a program for long-term success. We are unbelievably excited to bring in Nate, who will undoubtedly instill a strong culture of competitive excellence. The future of Kansas Soccer is incredibly bright with Nate at the helm, and we are thrilled for him to get to work. Our entire athletic department is elated to welcome Nate, his wife Emily, and their three children, Michael, Grace and Joshua to the Kansas Athletics family.”
“I would like to express my thanks and gratitude to Travis Goff, Jason Booker and the entire search committee for providing me this tremendous opportunity,” Lie said. “I was overwhelmed by the energy, positivity and passion of the Jayhawk community and I am completely sold on Travis’ vision of the future of Kansas Athletics. My time at Xavier was so meaningful, and I thank Greg Christopher and Brian Hicks for believing in me and our program. I have tremendous gratitude for the players and coaches that shared the journey.”
“I believe, with deep conviction, that Kansas Soccer will be a consistent force in the Big 12 and on the national landscape. My family and I look forward to immersing ourselves in the KU community and I will work tirelessly alongside our student-athletes to bring Kansas Soccer to new heights! Rock Chalk!”
Lie – pronounced LEE – arrives at Kansas following a strong and successful seven-year tenure as the head coach at Xavier University. During his tenure at Xavier, which began in 2017, Lie has compiled a record of 82-37-19 (.663), led the Musketeers to four consecutive NCAA Tournaments (2019-23) and has been the architect of three BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honors, in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
Under Lie’s guidance, Xavier has earned a top 30 RPI ranking in each of the last three seasons, becoming one of just 12 programs nationally to achieve that. The Musketeers are also one of five programs nationally with five or fewer total regular season losses over the last three seasons.
Xavier has a 22-1-8 conference record over the past three seasons and has an active 28-match unbeaten streak in conference play, which dates back to the 2021 season. The Musketeers have won three BIG EAST regular season championships and one BIG EAST Tournament championship since 2019.
With Lie at the helm, his teams have rewritten the record books at Xavier. His squad set the school record for wins in a season with 17 in 2019, while the team’s 16 wins in 2021 are the second most in a season and his group’s 14 wins in 2022 and 2023 are tied for the third most in program history.
In addition to school records in wins, Lie’s teams have featured stout defense and goalkeeping. In 2019 and 2023, Xavier recorded 13 shutouts, establishing a new program record. After already setting the single-season lowest goals against average of 0.54 in 2021, Lie’s 2023 team broke that record by posting a goals against average of 0.50 this year. The 0.50 mark was the sixth best in the nation in 2023.
Lie’s ability to develop players has been evident during his time at Xavier. He has mentored five BIG EAST Players of the Year, 32 All-BIG EAST selections, 13 United Soccer Coaches All-Region honorees and three All-Americans. Since 2020, six of Lie’s players have signed professional contracts.
In 2023, Xavier finished the season with a 14-4-4 record before ultimately falling in overtime in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, despite taking 41 shots in the match. The Musketeers were eighth in the country with 18.6 shots per game and seventh in the nation with 8.9 shots on goal per match. Xavier earned the No. 4 seed in the 2023 NCAA Tournament, marking the best seed in program history.
Off the field, Lie has been the co-chair of Xavier Athletics’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. In addition, he was the Xavier representative for the BIG EAST Conference’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion working group.
Prior to becoming the head coach at Xavier, Lie served as the associate head coach, assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator for four years at Cincinnati from 2013-17 and an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for four years at Miami University (OH) from 2009-13.
At Cincinnati, Lie quickly was elevated from an assistant coach to associate head coach in 2014. Lie led the defense at Cincinnati and the Bearcats posted a 42-30-12 (.571) overall record while he was on the coaching staff.
In his first three seasons at Cincinnati, the program improved its overall record each season. After a four-win season in 2012, prior to his arrival, the Bearcats went 8-11-1 in 2013, 10-8-2 in 2014 and 13-6-5 in 2015.
The 2015 Bearcats captured the American Athletic Conference tournament title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2002. Following the season, Lie was selected as Cincinnati’s Assistant Coach of the Year in a vote by members of the athletic department.
During his four-year stint as an assistant coach at Miami, the RedHawks owned an overall record of 54-26-5 (.665), including 25-14-5 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). In 2012, Lie helped guide Miami to an overall record of 20-3-1 and a 10-0-1 mark in conference action. The 20 wins are a school record and helped Miami win the MAC regular-season and tournament titles as well as advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Lie’s coaching career began when he was hired at Miami in 2009. Lie worked in the business world and for AmeriCorps before becoming a coach.
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Lie attended Miami and played soccer from 1996-2000. Lie was an All-MAC Second Team selection in 1997 and a two-time Academic All-MAC honoree for the men’s soccer program, earning Academic All-MAC First Team honors in 1998, in addition to Academic All-Ohio accolades that same season.
Lie graduated from Miami in 2000 with bachelor’s degrees in economics and finance, and received a master’s degree in sports management from Miami in 2015. Lie and his wife, Emily, have three children – Michael (11), Grace (9) and Joshua (7).
Tyler Smaha joined the Kansas soccer staff in December 2023. Smaha comes to Kansas after spending the last four seasons working with Lie at Xavier University as an assistant coach, before he was promoted to associate head coach in October 2023.
Smaha has helped Xavier qualify for the NCAA Tournament each of the last three seasons, marking the first back-to-back-to-back appearances in the tournament in Xavier’s history. The Musketeers won the BIG EAST regular-season title in 2021 and claimed a share of the title in 2023.
Xavier posted a 22-1-8 conference record over the past three seasons and has an active 28-match unbeaten streak in conference play, which dates back to the 2021 season. The undefeated conference season in 2022 was the first in program history at Xavier.
During the last three seasons with Smaha as a part of the coaching staff, Xavier finished the season with a top 30 RPI ranking, becoming one of just 12 programs nationally to achieve that. The Musketeers were also one of five programs nationally with five or fewer total regular season losses over the last three seasons.
In 2021 and 2023, Smaha was alongside Lie as they received BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
Prior to Xavier, Smaha was a graduate assistant at Fort Hays State University (2019-20) and a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s soccer program at Drake (2018-19).
Additionally, Smaha worked as a staff coach for both the Iowa and Kansas Olympic Development programs, and also coached on the prep level on both the club stage at Sporting Iowa and at Johnston High School (Iowa).
Smaha holds a USSF C License and United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma. He’s also a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) through the National Strength and Conditioning Association.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Smaha attended and played soccer at Buena Vista University for three years, before spending his final year at Simpson College. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from Simpson College in 2017 and a master’s degree in health and human performance from Fort Hays State in 2021.
Smaha is married to his wife, Kendall.
Smaha’s Coaching Career Highlights:
• Qualified for three NCAA Tournaments at Xavier (2021, 2022, 2023)
• Earned two BIG EAST Coaching Staff of the Year awards at Xavier (2021, 2023)
• Coached three BIG EAST Players of the Year at Xavier (Midfielder, Goalkeeper, Freshman)
• Developed four players who have signed professional contracts
• Helped Xavier finish with a top 30 RPI ranking (2021, 2022, 2023)
• Assisted in Xavier being one of five programs nationally with five or fewer total regular season losses over the last three seasons (2021-23)
Tiffany Hansen joined the Kansas soccer staff in January 2024. Hansen comes to Kansas with 16 years of collegiate coaching experience and extensive time with the U.S Soccer Women’s Youth National Team and U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program as a coach and scout.
Hansen arrives at Kansas following a successful two seasons at LSU (2022-23) as both an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator, which featured a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances, and a strong seven-year tenure at Michigan (2015-22), while also serving as both an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator. She will work primarily with the goalkeepers at KU.
Hansen has led the recruiting efforts for multiple top 20 recruiting classes in her career, including the No. 6 recruiting class at Michigan in 2017. At all of Hansen’s stops, her team has had success recruiting at the national level. Hansen’s ability to develop goalkeepers into top-level talent has been a big reason for her program’s accomplishments.
In 2022, Hansen helped guide LSU to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and the program’s highest end of season ranking in over seven seasons, as the Tigers finished No. 28 in the country. LSU also qualified for the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
While Hansen was at Michigan, the Wolverines advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2016, 2019, and 2021. In 2019, Michigan reached the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen and in 2021 they captured the Big Ten Tournament title on their way to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight.
Hansen’s work with the goalkeepers produced four of the eight best defensive seasons in Michigan history for goals conceded. The Wolverines only conceded 14 goals in 2020, 18 in 2021, 18 in 2017, and 20 in 2015. Hansen helped Michigan rack up 12 shutouts in 2021, the second most ever in a single season for the program.
While at Michigan, Hansen coached Hillary Beall (2017-21), who logged a total of 6,855 minutes in net while only allowing 72 goals against for a career goals against average of 0.945. The 0.945 GAA matched the second lowest average in program history at Michigan. Beall was a two-time United Soccer Coaches all-region honoree and a three-time All-Big Ten performer. Beall went on to sign a professional contract with Racing Louisville FC.
Hansen also developed Sarah Jackson (2015-17) and Megan Hinz (2014-17) at Michigan who finished their careers in the top five for GAA at Michigan with marks of 0.94 and 0.97, respectively. Jackson was an All-Big Ten performer as well and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week twice during her career.
Before Hansen’s time at Michigan, she was as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Dayton (2011-15) and an assistant coach at Bowling Green State (2008-11).
Hansen was responsible for the goalkeepers and also served as the program’s recruiting coordinator and camp director at Dayton. She helped the Flyers win two Atlantic 10 Conference tournament championships in 2011 and 2014, and the regular season title in 2013. Dayton went to the NCAA Tournament twice while Hansen was on staff. Hansen mentored two goalkeepers to A-10 All-Championship Team honors, and in 2013 helped goalkeeper Elizabeth James collect NSCAA National Player of the Week and two A-10 Rookie of the Week distinctions, as well as earn a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie Team.
Hansen started her coaching career at Bowling Green State (BGSU), her alma mater. After playing goalkeeper in college, Hansen was assigned to work primarily with the goalkeepers as a coach. In her three seasons coaching at BGSU, the Falcons registered 23 shutouts, including a program record 14 clean sheets in 2008. Hansen’s goalkeeper, Alexa Arsenault, was named to the All-MAC First Team after notching a record of 12-6-4 on the season with a GAA of 0.68.
Outside of the college game, Hansen has extensive experience working with U.S. Soccer for the Youth National Team. She has served on the U-16, U-17, U-18, U-19 and U-20 Women’s Youth National Team coaching staffs for both domestic and international events. In addition to her coaching the nation’s top talent, Hansen is a scout and is involved in the identification and evaluation processes for the Women’s Youth National Teams.
Her most recent coaching assignment for U.S. Soccer was with the U-17 Women’s Youth National Team for the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup in India. Currently, Hansen is assigned to work with the U-20 Women’s Youth National Team for the 2024 FIFA World Cup in Colombia.
Hansen is also heavily involved in the U.S. Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program. She served as the US Soccer ID Center Staff Coach for players in the state of Michigan and the Central Region in the past. She also held various positions with the Ohio South and Ohio North ODP and the Region II Interregional ODP staff. Hansen was twice selected to the staff for an invite-only, ODP international training camp and tournament in Costa Rica. Region II is comprised of players from 14 states and Hansen oversaw the goalkeepers from each of those 14 states. Hansen has also served on the goalkeeping staff for the ECNL Player Development Program.
Hansen holds a USSF B license as well as a United Soccer Coaches Premier Diploma and Advanced National GK Diploma. She earned the honor of being selected as one of 15 female coaches from more than 350 applicants to the inaugural edition of the NSCAA 30 Under 30 program in 2013. The distinction identifies the top 30 up and coming coaches in the profession.
A native of Lexington, Ohio, Hansen attended and played soccer at Louisville for two years, before spending her final two seasons at Bowling Green State. She played goalkeeper and helped BGSU set a then-program record of 10 shutouts during the 2006 season and served as the team captain of the squad in 2007 during her senior season.
Hansen graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in dietetics from BGSU in 2008 and a master’s degree in food and nutrition from BGSU in 2010.
Hansen’s Coaching Career Highlights:
• Qualified for seven NCAA Tournament appearances (LSU, Michigan, Dayton)
• Active coach and scout for the U.S. Soccer Women’s Youth National Team
• Helped Michigan capture the Big Ten Tournament title and advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2021
• Led recruiting efforts for multiple top 20 recruiting classes in her career, including the No. 6 recruiting class at Michigan in 2017
• One of 15 female coaches selected to the inaugural edition of the NSCAA 30 Under 30 program in 2013
• Assisted Dayton in winning the Atlantic 10 Tournament in 2011 and 2014
Daniel Baker joined the Kansas soccer staff in December 2023. He comes to Kansas after spending the 2023 season as an assistant coach at Penn State.
Baker became a member of the Penn State staff in February 2023 as a volunteer assistant coach before being promoted to a full-time assistant coach in July 2023. Baker was in charge of assisting in set piece coordination, helping with recruiting, along with scouting, game plan implementation, data tracking and assessment and analysis for the nationally-ranked Nittany Lions.
Penn State had an incredibly successful 2023 season, posting a 16-3-4 overall record and a 6-1-3 mark in Big Ten Conference play, bolstered by a 5-1-2 mark against ranked opponents during the season. The Nittany Lions advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2018. Baker helped coach Big Ten Defender of the Year and Second Team All-American Cori Dyke, as well as four All-Big Ten performers in Eva Alonso, Katherine Asman, Kaitlyn MacBean and Kate Wiesner.
Baker helped with internal video recording and review during Penn State’s spring activities before his promotion. He was instrumental in the preparation and execution of Penn State’s spring practices while aiding in the program’s ID and summer camps.
Prior to Penn State, Baker served as the Director of Player Analysis at Xavier for the 2022 season. He assisted with video analytics, travel coordination, opponent scouting and social outreach. Xavier published an unbeaten 2022 season in BIG EAST play with a 6-0-4 record, and went on to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
While a student at his alma mater, Indiana Wesleyan, Baker assisted as a student coach. During his time with the Wildcats, Baker was responsible for developing and training the team’s goalkeepers, including 2021 NAIA Honorable Mention All-American Hope Stacker. Baker also has experience as both a staff coach and soccer trainer with KingsHammer SC and X Factor Futbol, aiding young athletes in technical soccer development.
A native of Sparta, New Jersey, Baker graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University in April 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in sports management and a Bachelor of Arts in humanities at the institution’s honors college. While at Indiana Wesleyan, Baker also earned an associate degree in business administration. He holds a D License from the United States Soccer Federation in addition to a Goalkeeping Level 1 Diploma from United Soccer Coaches.
Baker is married to his wife, Jessica.
Baker’s Coaching Career Highlights:
• Helped Penn State advance to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in 2023, the program’s first since 2018
• Assisted Penn State in being ranked the No. 1 RPI team during the 2023 season and finished the year at No. 4 in RPI
• Advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2022 while at Xavier
• Helped Indiana Wesleyan qualify for three national tournaments and two Crossroads League Championships
• Developed one All-American goalkeeper at Indiana Wesleyan