LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Callie McKinney has been promoted from assistant to head coach of the Bellarmine University women's soccer team, Director of Athletics Scott Wiegandt announced Wednesday.

McKinney joined the women's soccer staff as a graduate assistant in the summer of 2020 and was promoted to full-time assistant coach prior to the fall 2021 season.

"It became clear early in Callie's tenure as an assistant at Bellarmine that her career path was headed toward a head-coaching position, and I couldn't be more excited that she has accepted that opportunity and challenge at this University," Wiegandt said. "To put it succinctly, it's her time. Callie has displayed all the traits necessary to lead our women's soccer program. She is a young coach taking the reins of a program that is still in the early stages of the Division-I era. I have no doubt they will grow together, and the program will thrive under her leadership."

This past season, junior midfielder Emma Nicholson earned second-team All-ASUN accolades while freshman midfielder Sydni Whitehead was named to the ASUN All-Freshman Team. In 2022, Bellarmine was one of the top defensive units in the ASUN, ranking second in the conference in goals-against average (0.88) while tying for third in shutouts (eight). Goalkeeper Elyssa Francis garnered ASUN All-Conference accolades, and midfielder Alexa Orozco was an ASUN All-Freshman Team selection.

"First off, I am extremely grateful for this opportunity," McKinney said. "I am thankful to Scott and (Athletics Chief Operating Officer) Pam (Stackhouse) for giving me this opportunity to lead the Bellarmine program. I am also thankful to (former head coach) Paul (Babba), who has prepared me well for this and for being such a great mentor and friend."

In the fall of 2021, McKinney helped Bellarmine advance to the ASUN Championship semifinals for the first time in program history. Her first season with the Knights coincided with BU's first in Division I. In the spring of 2021 (the 2020 fall season was delayed due to the coronavirus), Bellarmine captured its first-ever D1 win behind a 1-0 triumph over ASUN counterpart Liberty, an NCAA Tournament team. In their inaugural season in the ASUN, the Knights saw two players recognized with All-Conference laurels (Francis, Natalie Teo) while the team had 100-percent inclusion (26 of 26) on the conference's Honor Roll.

In the summer of 2023, McKinney was the head coach of the USL Racing Louisville W League team.

McKinney was a starting midfielder at the University of Louisville from 2016-19. She appeared in 72 games with 67 starts over her four-year tenure with the Cardinals. She was a two-time ACC Academic Honor Roll selection and helped U of L earn NCAA Tournament berths her final two years in the program, which included a 13-5-2 senior campaign in 2019 where she delivered the game-winning goal in a 1-0 victory over Clemson.

McKinney played in the summer of 2019 with the Nashville Rhythm and garnered Southeast All-Conference Team accolades from the Women's Premier Soccer League.

A native of Franklin, Tennessee, and an All-State performer at Franklin High School, McKinney earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science at Louisville and will complete her master's degree in health science at Bellarmine in May. She has a US Federation C license and is pursuing her B license.

"I am extremely excited for this team and the young women that are a part of this program," McKinney said. "We have been building something pretty great on the field, but also off the field culturally. I believe in these young women and the ones that are coming in that we can accomplish much in the future of this program. These young women are resilient, hardworking, empathetic and have high standards. I couldn't be more excited to work with them in my new role as their head coach.

"As for myself, I do believe I was created for such a time as this. I will work extremely hard for these young women and this program. Let's roll."

McKinney replaces Babba, who resigned after two seasons to pursue other opportunities.

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