Baylor Inks Michelle Lenard to Extension
11/26/2025 12:58:00 PM | Soccer
WACO, Texas -- Fresh off a Sweet 16 appearance in the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament, Baylor has inked Coach Michelle Lenard to a contract extension, it was announced by co-interim Athletics Directors Cody Hall and Jovan Overshown on Wednesday.
Lenard wrapped up her fourth season leading the program in 2025 and did so with a flourish. The Bears went 14-5-4, including a 7-3-1 mark in Big 12 Conference play and an 8-1 record at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Complex. The Bears hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA South Bend Regional, posting a thrilling win over Wisconsin before falling in double overtime vs. Ohio State.
"We are excited to ensure Michelle Lenard is leading our program into the future," Hall, who in addition to his role as Co-Interim AD, has served as the soccer sport program administrator. "We saw great progress from our program over the last two years, and Michelle has managed a volatile time in college athletics, and college soccer, with a great approach. Michelle's role in our Baylor Family extends beyond wins and losses, she develops young women of character who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Her vision for the program aligns perfectly with our department's values and we're confident in the foundation she's building for sustained success."
Lenard took over the helm of Baylor soccer following 14 years as the head coach at Dallas Baptist University, where she amassed a 201-77-25 record, featuring a 49-6-4 record from 2019-21. Her run at DBU included 13 league titles and a 2021 Final Four appearance.
The Bears in 2025 had an excellent season, highlighted by a bevy of individual accolades that supported the team success on the field. Five Bears earned All-Big 12 Conference honors, including first-team selections in Tyler Isgrig and keeper Azul Alvarez. Isgrig was named Big 12 Midfielder of the Year.
Despite losing a few key pieces from the Sweet 16 roster in 2025, the Bears stand to return 71.1% of its field minutes played and 56.8% of its points scored in 2026. Alvarez, Baylor's dynamite net minder, also returns after posting a 0.82 goals-against average with 11 clean sheets. With a 0.82 GAA, Alvarez had the 10th-best mark in program single-season history and her 11 shutouts ranked tied for second-best in BU history.
The Bears are poised to welcome back standouts in Aryanna Jimison, who had four goals and six assists, Theresa McCullough, Callie Conrad, Alysiah Lockette, Olivia Hess and Lauren Omholt, which accounts for six of BU's top-eight point scorers. Defensive dynamo Natalie Vatter also returns after starting all 23 games and playing over 2,000 minutes on the back line.
Lenard wrapped up her fourth season leading the program in 2025 and did so with a flourish. The Bears went 14-5-4, including a 7-3-1 mark in Big 12 Conference play and an 8-1 record at Betty Lou Mays Soccer Complex. The Bears hosted the first round of the NCAA Tournament and advanced to the NCAA South Bend Regional, posting a thrilling win over Wisconsin before falling in double overtime vs. Ohio State.
"We are excited to ensure Michelle Lenard is leading our program into the future," Hall, who in addition to his role as Co-Interim AD, has served as the soccer sport program administrator. "We saw great progress from our program over the last two years, and Michelle has managed a volatile time in college athletics, and college soccer, with a great approach. Michelle's role in our Baylor Family extends beyond wins and losses, she develops young women of character who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Her vision for the program aligns perfectly with our department's values and we're confident in the foundation she's building for sustained success."
Lenard took over the helm of Baylor soccer following 14 years as the head coach at Dallas Baptist University, where she amassed a 201-77-25 record, featuring a 49-6-4 record from 2019-21. Her run at DBU included 13 league titles and a 2021 Final Four appearance.
The Bears in 2025 had an excellent season, highlighted by a bevy of individual accolades that supported the team success on the field. Five Bears earned All-Big 12 Conference honors, including first-team selections in Tyler Isgrig and keeper Azul Alvarez. Isgrig was named Big 12 Midfielder of the Year.
Despite losing a few key pieces from the Sweet 16 roster in 2025, the Bears stand to return 71.1% of its field minutes played and 56.8% of its points scored in 2026. Alvarez, Baylor's dynamite net minder, also returns after posting a 0.82 goals-against average with 11 clean sheets. With a 0.82 GAA, Alvarez had the 10th-best mark in program single-season history and her 11 shutouts ranked tied for second-best in BU history.
The Bears are poised to welcome back standouts in Aryanna Jimison, who had four goals and six assists, Theresa McCullough, Callie Conrad, Alysiah Lockette, Olivia Hess and Lauren Omholt, which accounts for six of BU's top-eight point scorers. Defensive dynamo Natalie Vatter also returns after starting all 23 games and playing over 2,000 minutes on the back line.
- BaylorBears.com -
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