Penn State men’s soccer coach Bob Warming is retiring after a 40-year career, including the last eight seasons leading the Nittany Lion program.
Twice named National Coach of the Year and Big Ten Coach of the Year, Warming compiled a career record of 461-290-82. He ranks No. 8 all-time among Division I coaches for career wins and is one of only three active coaches to lead two different programs to the NCAA College Cup.
‘Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this collegiate coaching journey,” Warming said in a statement. “I have been so fortunate. Fortunate to have met, worked with, worked for, and been a coach to, so many amazing people. People that I love, respect and admire. People that I have learned much from about the continual challenge of coaching, teaching and leading.’
Penn State will begin immediately a national search for the team’s 12th head coach. Warming will stay on to help with the transition.
“Bob Warming has made such a significant impact on the lives of student-athletes at Penn State and the other institutions where he has coached,” Penn State Athletic Director Sandy Barbour said. “Bob has been a great ambassador for Penn State, leading our men’s soccer program with high character, integrity, a positive attitude and a smile on a daily basis throughout his outstanding career. On behalf of Penn State, we are sad that Bob is retiring from coaching, but thankful for his impact on our community and happy for what awaits in the next chapter of his life. We wish he and Cindy nothing but health and happiness as they focus on their family.”
Warming came to Penn State in 2010 and led the Nittany Lions to their most wins since 2002 and first NCAA Tournament victory in five years. Under Warming’s direction, Penn State won Big Ten championships in 2012 and 2013 and made another NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014.
His head coaching career began in 1976 at Transylvania University in Kentucky and included stops at Berry College and Charlotte before he began his first stint at Creighton in 1990.
Over the course of 14 total years at Creighton — from 1990 to 1994 and 2001 to 2009 — he helped transform the program into a national power, leading the Bluejays to 190 wins, seven Missouri Valley Conference championships 11 NCAA tournament appearances and the 2002 College Cup. Warming was named conference coach of the year three times and has been inducted into the Omaha Sports and Creighton Athletics halls of fame.
In between his terms at Creighton, Warming led St. Louis to four Conference USA championships and three NCAA tournament appearances.
Warming has seen at least one of his players drafted by Major League Soccer in all but one year since the league was formed in 1996.
A 1975 graduate of Berea College, Warming was a four-sport letter-winner in soccer, golf, swimming and tennis. He also earned a master of science degree in sport administration from Eastern Kentucky University.
“I chose to devote a lot of my life to being around other people’s children as their coach,” Warming said. “The successful rearing of our four amazing children fell mostly to my wife, Cindy, and I am eternally grateful to her. I am choosing to, and looking forward to, seeing and being there for my children and our grandchildren now whenever they need me.’
