Visitation hires former Gophers coach Mikki Denney Wright to lead girls soccer program

Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press, St. Paul, Minn.
·1 min read

Jan. 21—A decade after stepping down as women's soccer coach at the University of Minnesota, Mikki Denney Wright was named the new head coach of the Visitation girls soccer program Friday.

Denney Wright led the Gophers from 2004-11, winning a Big Ten championship and leading the U to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament before stepping down in 2012 to spend more time with her children. Previously, Denney Wright earned All-Big Ten honors as a player for the Gophers, and led Minnesota to a Big Ten title in that capacity, as well.

Since stepping down at the U, Denney Wright has been a club soccer coach in the area.

"I am thrilled to join the mission of teaching and building fantastic young women at Visitation School. I have been so impressed meeting the leadership, alumni and students at Visitation," Denney Wright said in a statement. "They have a special community, and I am honored to join it. Our Visitation soccer family will work to help each young woman be who they are and be that to the best of their ability."

Visitation last reached the state tournament in 2017.

"It is an exciting time to be a student-athlete at Visitation," Visitation athletic director Elisa Ryan Manny said in a statement. "And with the Coach Wright era beginning, it's an optimal time to be a soccer player at Vis!"