LINCOLN, Neb. (July 2, 2025) – ebraska Wesleyan University Director of Athletics Dwight Merilatt and Head Women's Soccer Coach Robert Lynch have announced the hiring of Bailey Brennan as the program's first full-time Assistant Women's Soccer Coach. Brennan brings a unique combination of elite academic achievement, competitive playing experience, and proven coaching success to the Prairie Wolf program.
"Bailey is going to make a great addition to a program that is ready to round the corner," said Head Coach Robert Lynch. "Her knowledge and experience of the Division III landscape will be a vital resource as we navigate ahead. She is an extremely driven and dedicated coach and I know she will provide plenty of positive insight to our team."
Brennan arrives in Lincoln after transforming the Dubuque Senior High School women's soccer program, where she served as head coach in 2024-25 following a season as assistant coach in 2023-24. Her impact was immediate, rebuilding technical skills, tactical understanding, and team culture while restoring players' passion for the game through positive coaching methods.
The Blue Springs, Missouri native graduated from the University of Dubuque in April 2024 with a perfect 4.0 GPA in Wellness and Exercise Science. Her academic excellence earned recognition on the College Sports Communicators Academic All-District Team in 2023 and the American Rivers Conference All-Academic Team the same year.
Brennan's playing credentials span eight years in the Women's Premier Soccer League (WPSL) and United Women's Soccer (UWS), plus six seasons of collegiate competition split between Clarke University (three years) and the University of Dubuque (three years). At Dubuque, she earned American Rivers Conference Honorable Mention selections in 2022 and 2023 while serving as team captain.
Her leadership extended beyond the field, organizing off-season training sessions and establishing competitive standards for the defensive unit. Additionally, Brennan coached with Youth R.I.S.E. and Athena FC over the past four years, developing players across multiple age groups.
"I appreciate the efforts of Dwight Merilatt, Erin Dwyer, and the entire search committee with their assistance in the hiring process," Lynch added. "Because of this, we are able to continue to elevate the team standards."
Currently pursuing her Master of Business Administration at Dubuque, Brennan also holds multiple certifications from the National Academy of Sports Medicine, including Certified Personal Trainer, Virtual Coaching Specialization, and Sports Nutrition Coach credentials.
Her professional experience extends beyond soccer coaching. Brennan has served as a strength and conditioning coach and personal trainer at the University of Dubuque, designing sport-specific training programs to improve athlete performance, injury prevention, and competitive readiness.
"I am beyond excited and thankful to have an opportunity to work with Coach Lynch and the Prairie Wolves," Brennan said. "We are eagerly looking to grow this program and compete in the A-R-C"
The Prairie Wolves open their 2025 season with a match at Concordia (NE) on August 30th. The complete fall schedule can be found here.
