WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell announced Tuesday, Jan. 14, that Jennies soccer head coach Lewis Theobald has signed a three-year contract extension through the 2027 season.

"We couldn't be more excited to extend Coach Theobald's contract," Howdeshell said. "This extension recognizes Coach Theobald's exceptional achievements as our head coach and the positive impact he has had on the culture of Jennies soccer. He is one of the best coaches in all collegiate soccer, and his continued leadership puts our program in the best position to compete for championships and provide our student-athletes with an exceptional experience."

The new contract is highly competitive in the MIAA and NCAA Division II and provides incentives for MIAA championships, postseason appearances and achievements, coach of the year awards, and academic achievements.

"I am grateful for the support of our President, Dr. Roger Best, and our Vice President for Athletics, Matt Howdeshell," Theobald said. "My family and I love the University of Central Missouri, and as we continue this journey together, I am confident the best is yet to come from Jennies soccer."

Theobald, who recently completed his 17th season as head coach of the Jennies, has transformed the Jennies soccer program into one of the premier programs not only in the MIAA, but in all of NCAA Division II.

The 11-time MIAA and five-time region Coach of the Year, has an impressive 308-51-27 record. He recorded more wins in his first three seasons than any other coach in school history and is the all-time winningest coach in both Jennies soccer and MIAA women's soccer history. He brought home the program's first ever National Championship in the 2017 season. Theobald has led Central Missouri to 13 MIAA Regular Season Championships, seven MIAA Tournament Titles and six NCAA-II Regional Championships in his tenure in Warrensburg.

Theobald is the winningest active coach in Division II women's soccer with an .833 winning percentage, among coaches with at least five years on the sidelines. He also tied for the all-time D-II lead in winning percentage among coaches with at least 10 years and is fifth all-time in all NCAA Divisions. 

During his tenure, Theobald has coached 22 All-Americans in Ashleigh Martin, Andree Orcutt, Lindsay Edmonds, Julia Kristensen, Kassie Newsom, Caroline Cole, Ana Dilkes, Emily Eldridge, Baylie Edwards, Randi Fernsler, Allysa Gann, Kayla Hamner, Julie Ireland, Becky Lackey, Cindy Lackey, Abby Rhodes, Alyssa Rhodes, Jada Scott, Carly Stanley, Jenna Stones, Makayla Toth and Megan Woolley and has led 55 players to All-Region status. He also coached Dilkes, a goalkeeper, to a National Player of the Year honor during the 2017 season.

He has coached 142 All-Conference players, including Most Valuable Players Melanie Hall, Kayla Shain and two-time Player of the Year Alyssa Rhodes; Offensive Players of the Years Carly Stanley, Julie Ireland, Jada Scott, Kassie Newsom and Julia Kristensen; Freshmen of the Year Alyssa Rhodes, Stanley, Hannah Pyle, Alexis Robbers, Nicki Wisnasky, Caroline Cole, Julia Kristensen and Izzy Joyce; Defenders of the Year, Emily Eldridge, Allysa Gann, Cindy Lackey and Abby Rhodes; two-time Goalkeeper of the Year Lindsey Johnson and four-time Goalkeeper of the Year Ana Dilkes.

A 1999 graduate of the University of Kansas, Theobald received his bachelor's degree in education with a concentration in physical education.