Associate head coach Marisa Kanela will be moving on from West Virginia Women’s Soccer, the team announced Wednesday, ending her 14-season legacy with the program.
WVU announced Kanela’s departure on X, thanking her for her dedication to the program and wishing the best for her future endeavors. Head coach Nikki Izzo-Brown shared a heartfelt message to Kanela on her own X account as well, recounting the accomplishments the two shared as coaches.
Kanela spent four seasons as a player for West Virginia from 2002 to 2005 before earning her bachelor’s degree in 2007. She began coaching the team the same year, serving as a volunteer assistant until receiving her master’s degree in 2009.
As a player, Kanela made an immediate impact, earning the Big East’s all-rookie team honors in 2002. She was named to the All-Big East second team in 2004 and first team in 2005. West Virginia made the NCAA Tournament in all four of Kanela’s playing years.
In 2010, Kanela took up the role of assistant coach for the Mountaineers, which she held until 2016 before her promotion to associate head coach. In 14 years on the staff, Kanela helped lead WVU to nine conference championships, including five consecutive Big 12 Championships from 2012 to 2016.
Photo from WVU Women’s Soccer
