LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska Wesleyan University head women's soccer coach Robert Lynch announced Tuesday the addition of Chris Mellott to the Prairie Wolves coaching staff. Mellott joins the program as an assistant women's soccer coach and begins his duties immediately.

"We are extremely excited to welcome Chris to our staff," Lynch expressed. "He possesses a high IQ for the game, attention to detail, and understands the recruiting landscape, especially in our region. I believe Chris will make an immediate positive impact on our program in multiple facets. We are lucky to have him!"

Mellott brings more than three decades of coaching experience to Nebraska Wesleyan, including extensive experience developing female soccer players at the club level in the Omaha area.

Mellott has served as a Club Coach with Gretna Elite Academy since 2019, working primarily with U19 and younger female athletes. In his role, he played an instrumental role in developing college-bound prospects. Mellott designed comprehensive training plans, coordinated player evaluation and recruitment, and managed scheduling, travel logistics and team administration for tournaments and league competition.

"Coaching at the collegiate level was always a goal of mine," Mellott said. "The timing of this opportunity lined up well for me. After discussing the position with Coach Lynch, I felt his philosophy and the culture he is working to develop made this an ideal opportunity. Nebraska Wesleyan is well known throughout Nebraska and the surrounding states, making it a great place to continue developing student-athletes."

Prior to his time with Gretna Elite Academy, Mellott served as an assistant coach at Sioux City West High School from 1993-95. He later founded the boys' soccer program at Remsen St. Mary's High School in Remsen, Iowa, where he served as the program's first head coach. As the program's founder, Mellott established the program from the ground up, securing equipment, developing its infrastructure, building the roster and creating practice curricula and competitive game plans for the inaugural season.

A native of Kansas City, Mellott holds a U.S. Soccer Federation C License and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Briar Cliff University, where he also played collegiate soccer.

Mellott joins Nebraska Wesleyan as the Prairie Wolves prepare for Lynch's second season leading the program. In 2025, NWU posted a 2-4-2 record in American Rivers Conference play, earning eight conference points, the program's highest conference point total since 2019.

The Prairie Wolves return team captains Emma Parker, Emily Jasa, and leading scorer Averie Hike, who recorded eight goals and five assists for 21 points in 16 appearances during the 2025 season. Nebraska Wesleyan will look to build on last year's progress as the Prairie Wolves pursue their first appearance in the American Rivers Conference Tournament since 2016.

The addition of Mellott completes the Nebraska Wesleyan women's soccer coaching staff for the 2026 season.