| Paula Wilkins | |
| Fullname: | Paula Wilkins |
| Birth Place: | Middletown, Pennsylvania |
| Position: | Defender |
| Collegeyears1: | 1991–1994 |
| Collegecaps1: | 53 |
| Collegegoals1: | 4 |
| Manageryears1: | 2001–2006 |
| Managerclubs1: | Penn State |
| Manageryears2: | 2007– |
| Managerclubs2: | Wisconsin Badgers |
Paula Wilkins is an American college soccer coach and former college soccer player. She is the head coach of the Wisconsin Badgers women's soccer team.[1] Wilkins is a former All-American college soccer defender playing 4 years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She is a recipient of the NSCAA Coach of the Year award, winning the honor in 2005.
Wilkins played college soccer for the University of Massachusetts as a defender from 1991 to 1994.[1] During her time with the Minutewomen she earned 48 starts, 53 caps, and scored 4 goals.[2] [3] [4] Wilkins was a three-time participant in the NCAA Tournament progressing to the NCAA Women's Soccer Final Four in her senior season.[5] [6] Wilkins was honored with a First Team All-American selection in 1993.[1]
Wilkins began her coaching career in 1994 as an Assistant Coach with Penn State under head coach Patrick Farmer.[1] Wilkins was promoted to head coach of Penn State's team after the position was vacated in 2000.[5] During her tenure as head coach of Penn State Wilkins became one of the fastest ever to reach 100-wins as a coach in women's college soccer, was named NSCAA Coach of the Year and received 5 Big Ten coach of the year awards. Wilkins lead the Nittany Lions to a record of 119–19–11, six straight Big Ten regular season championships, two Big Ten tournament championships, and six straight NCAA Tournament appearances reaching the College Cup twice.[1] [6]
Wilkins accepted the role as Wisconsin's head women's soccer coach in 2007 where she currently coaches.[1] [7]