Bob Sheehan is in his 15th year as the only women’s soccer head coach in Northern Kentucky University history. Sheehan has built the NKU women’s soccer program from scratch into one of the nation’s best, and he is 236-51-16 (.805) in those 14 seasons with the Norse.
Sheehan guided NKU to a 17-2-2 record last season, including the Great Lakes Valley Conference regular-season title. The Norse defeated Northern Michigan in the first round of the NCAA Division II Tournament. NKU and Wisconsin-Parkside then played to a 1-1 tie in the second round, but the Rangers advanced to the regional championship game after taking the penalty-kick shootout by a 4-2 score. It marked the second straight season that NKU was eliminated from the NCAA Tournament in a penalty-kick shootout.
Two years ago, the Norse won their unprecedented seventh GLVC championship with a 19-2-1 mark and a 13-2 record in conference play. NKU advanced to the Midwest Region final and played eventual national champion Grand Valley State to a scoreless draw before falling in penalty kicks,5-4. For the second straight season the Norse were perfect at home, running that winning streak to 20 games.
In 2008, Sheehan’s Norse amassed a 16-4 record and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in three years, advancing to the second round before being ousted by Wisconsin-Parkside, who accounted for three of NKU’s four defeats on the year. Sheehan also produced his first All-American since 2005 in Brandi Doss, who ranked second in the nation with 0.75 assists per game.
In 2007, Sheehan led the Norse to a 12-6 record and their 10th consecutive trip to the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament. Under Sheehan’s direction the Norse captured the GLVC title in six of their first 10 seasons, including a string of five straight from 1998-2002.
Six years ago, Sheehan guided NKU to a 13-4-1 record and a berth in the Great Lakes Valley Conference tournament.
Sheehan was named GLVC Coach of the Year for the sixth time in his career in 2005, and he also earned Great Lakes Region Coach of the Year honors after leading NKU to its seventh consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament.
In addition, NKU senior forward Kristen Votapek was named to the NSCAA’s NCAA Division II All-America second team. Votapek also was named GLVC Player of the Year and earned Scholar All-America honors.
In 2004, Sheehan led NKU to a 15-5-1 overall record. The Norse also advanced to the NCAA Division II Tournament for the sixth straight year and finished with a No. 21 national ranking in the Division II poll.
Eight years ago, Sheehan guided the Norse to a 17-3-4 record. NKU also earned its fifth straight NCAA Division II Tournament berth and advanced to the national quarterfinals. The Norse finished with a No. 8 national ranking in the NCAA Division II poll.
Nine seasons ago, Sheehan led NKU to a 20-1-2 record and its fifth consecutive Great Lakes Valley Conference championship. The Norse also advanced to the NCAA Division II quarterfinals and spent most of the season ranked No. 1 nationally in the NCAA Division II poll.
In 2001, Sheehan guided NKU to a 22-2 record. The Norse also advanced to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the third straight year. During the regular season, NKU jumped to No. 1 in the national poll for the first time in history.
In 2000, Sheehan led NKU to a 21-2-2 record and guided the Norse to the championship match of the NCAA Division II Tournament. The Norse finished as national runner-up and were ranked No. 2 nationally in the final NSCAA coaches poll.
Prior to taking the NKU job, Sheehan spent 13 years as head coach at St. Ursula Academy in Cincinnati and built one of Ohio’s top prep powerhouses in girls’ soccer.
Sheehan, who owned a career record of 195-48-28 at St. Ursula, won a pair of state championships (1991 and 1993), and his teams compiled a record of 106-8-13 during his last six years.
A 1984 graduate of Xavier University, Sheehan was named Girls’ Greater Cincinnati League Gray Division Coach of the Year seven times in his career while at St. Ursula.
Sheehan also earned his MBA in finance from Xavier. Sheehan and his wife, Kelly, have a daughter (Maggie) and a son (John Patrick). The Sheehans live in Cincinnati.
