Keeley Hagen looking to prove more with Colorado State Soccer after near decade with Longhorns
FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Thomas Edison, in one of his famous quotes, said, 鈥淭he reason that so few people recognize opportunity is that it comes dressed in overalls and looks a lot like hard work.鈥�
While this is true for most people, few others grab it and turn it into life-changing fortunes. Sometimes opportunity does come knocking, and some don鈥檛 want to answer the door, yet Keeley Hagen embraced the opportunity as it came.
Hagen spent the better part of the 2005 campaign as an assistant student coach at Tennessee. So, when the then assistant coach Jen Laughridge Grubb gave birth to her first child, Hagen stepped in to serve as an interim assistant coach from the opening rounds of the tournament through the end of Grubb鈥檚 maternity leave.
From that moment, Hagen knew her life after soccer would be coaching and after eight seasons as an assistant at the University of Texas, the former Vol soccer standout will take over her own program as the head coach at Colorado State University.
Early Career
While it is true Hagen has been in the soccer industry for a long period, it is also an undeniable fact the most of her coaching and playing has revolved around well-established women鈥檚 college soccer programs.
It was therefore surprising that her first head coaching job would be at Colorado State, a program that began active soccer playing in 2013. It was kind of a downgrading job for her, yet the 2001 Carmel High School graduate took it with insurmountable pride and grace.
鈥淥ne of the many exciting things is it鈥檚 a young program and has a lot of potential,鈥� Hagen . 鈥淚 feel like we have the support from everyone and excitement. I think we got the needed resources, and the right atmosphere to win the Conference Championship.鈥�
International experience is a dream for every player. From the enviable pride of playing for the national team to raising the personal profile in the transfer market, these international caps open the gates of opportunities.
Achievements
Hagen served as a captain on the U.S. U-19 Women鈥檚 National Team and earned a gold medal at the FIFA U-19 Women鈥檚 World Championship in 2002. During this period, she was not only a hot prospect in the region but also a commanding figure in the dressing room. It鈥檚 no wonder that two years later, she helped the U.S. U-21 team to a gold medal in the Nordic Cup.
The 38 year old was a three-time All-American at the University of Tennessee, winning Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 2003-04.
While accepting the coaching role permanently, Hagen was pleased and ready for the task ahead.
鈥淚 had no idea I was going to be in coaching and fell into the position at Tennessee,鈥� Hagen said. 鈥淚 do love this game and find joy in working with the student/athletes and helping them grow into strong young women and not just good soccer players.鈥�
She added, 鈥淎s you learn the ropes in the in the profession, you meet challenges every day, so I enjoy that as well. Honestly, taking over a program that is fairly new is challenging, but it鈥檚 these kinds of challenges that make the profession interesting.鈥�
Hagen played professional soccer for two years in Sweden and then three years with the Women鈥檚 Professional Soccer league. She also served as an assistant in Tennessee. With her wealth of experience and knowledge, it appears that the Rams program and future are in good hands with Hagen.
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