NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb University Director of Athletics Philip Hutcheson announced today the hiring of Dr. Kathleen Paulsen as the new head coach of the Bisons women's soccer program. Paulsen, a highly decorated leader with a proven championship pedigree and a deep commitment to faith-based player development, joins the Bisons after 13 transformative seasons at John Brown University (JBU).
A former standout at the University of Arkansas, Paulsen arrives in Nashville with a resume that reflects both competitive dominance and academic excellence. During her tenure at JBU, she amassed an impressive career winning percentage of .787, leading her program to seven Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) regular-season championships and eight SAC tournament titles. Since 2020, her teams have elevated to even greater competitive heights, going 96-19-7. As a testament to consistent excellence under Paulsen's leadership, JBU teams have also appeared in the NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll 98 times, she has earned SAC Coach of the Year honors four different times, and most recently, she guided the Golden Eagles to back-to-back NAIA Elite Eight appearances in 2024 and 2025.
"When we began our search for the next leader of our women's soccer program, we looked for someone who embodied the 'Highest Level. Higher Calling.' mission of Lipscomb Athletics—someone who pursues excellence on the pitch with the same passion they have for spiritual formation," said Philip Hutcheson. "In Kathleen, we found exactly that. She is a proven winner, a great tactician, and a woman of deep faith who understands that soccer is a powerful platform from which to engage our students academically, athletically, socially, and spiritually. We are thrilled to welcome her to the Music City and cannot wait to see the impact she will have on our student-athletes."
Paulsen's impact extends far beyond the sidelines. Holding a PhD and serving as an educator in kinesiology whose dissertation explored the use of technology (heart rate and GPS) in sports performance and the creation of tools for talent identification, Paulsen has consistently prioritized the holistic development of her players. Her coaching philosophy is built on three pillars: competitive excellence, spiritual formation, and injury prevention. At JBU, she was known for creating a Christ-centered culture where identity, humility, and servant leadership were as vital as performance analysis and recruiting.
"I am incredibly honored and excited to join the Lipscomb family," said Paulsen. "Lipscomb is a place that values the integration of faith and sport at the highest level of Division I competition. My goal has always been to lead programs that challenge student-athletes to reach their full potential as players, students, and followers of Christ. I look forward to building on the strong foundation already in place here and competing for championships in the ASUN."
Paulsen's leadership has also been recognized nationally by her peers; she currently serves as the NAIA Women's Soccer President and a member of the NAIA National Rater and All-America committees. Her professional qualifications are extensive, including a United Soccer Coaches Advanced National Diploma and an Advanced National Goalkeeping Diploma.
During her playing days as a four-year letterwinner for the Arkansas Razorbacks, Paulsen was a model of consistency, appearing in every single game of her collegiate career (77 appearances). That same work ethic translated to her coaching, where she has produced 11 NAIA All-Americans and five SAC Players of the Year while maintaining a relentless focus on "Life Beyond Sport."
