Alabama Adds Christine Nairn as Assistant Coach
2/3/2025 2:00:00 PM | Soccer
A former U.S. National Team member, Nairn joins the Crimson Tide after a nine-year professional career and an assistant coaching stint at the University of Houston
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. –– Alabama head soccer coach Wes Hart announced Monday that former U.S. National Team member Christine Nairn has been named an assistant coach.
Nairn joins the Tide with a professional résumé that includes competing with the U.S. Women's National Team as well as nine seasons with National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) teams Washington Spirit, Seattle Reign, Orlando Pride and Houston Dash.
From Head Coach Wes Hart
"We hit a home run with this hire! When I heard Christine Nairn wanted to begin coaching full-time, I knew this was the coach we had to get. There are not many coaches out there with a playing résumé as impressive as Christine's. She will be a tremendous role model and resource for our players, many of whom have aspirations of playing professional soccer one day."
From Assistant Coach Christine Nairn
"I am excited to join a program as prestigious as the University of Alabama soccer team. Alabama soccer has everything you'd want in a university, but what sold me was the people within the program. Wes and his staff have created an environment that not only pushes the players to compete everyday, but also strive to be the best version of themselves."
Christine Nairn, Assistant Coach
- Professional Career
- Competed in the NWSL for nine seasons before retiring in 2021
- Was a first-round draft pick, going seventh overall to the Seattle Reign FC in the 2013 NWSL draft
- Also spent time playing for the Washington Spirit and Orlando Pride before finishing her professional career with the Houston Dash
- Competed for Melbourne Victory Football Club in Australia during the NWSL offseason from 2014-19, winning the W-League Premiership in 2019
- Became the first international player to receive Australia's W-League Player of the Year award
- First NWSL player to make 150 league appearances before retiring with 167 total appearances across all competitions
- At time of retirement, she was one of just seven players in the NWSL to record at least 20 goals and 20 assists
- International Career
- Called up to the U.S. Women's National Team in 2009
- Scored the game-winning goal in a friendly against Canada on July 22, 2009
- Competed with the senior team in a 4-0 win over Canada in October of 2016
- Also competed on the U.S. Youth National Teams from 2004-10
- Played in all six games to secure gold at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup
- College and Personal Information
- A native of Annapolis, Md.
- Played at Penn State from 2009-12
- As a Nittany Lion, she was named a three-time All-American, including earning first-team honors in 2012
- Additionally, she was selected as a 2012 MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist
- Four-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree
- Big Ten Midfielder of the Year in 2012
- Unanimous Big Ten Freshman of the Year (2009)
- Unanimous Big Ten All-Freshman Team (2009)
- TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Year (2009)
