Wake Forest Athletics
Wake Forest Women’s Soccer Announces Addition of Christine Nairn to Staff
2/6/2026 10:55:00 AM | Women's Soccer
Nairn is joining the Deacs after a season with the Crimson Tide in 2025.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Wake Forest women's soccer and head coach Tony da Luz have announced the addition of assistant coach Christine Nairn to the Wake Forest women's soccer staff on Friday.
This upcoming season will mark Nairn's third year coaching collegiate soccer, serving as assistant coach for the Crimson Tide in 2025 and Houston Cougars in 2024.
The Annapolis, Md.-native spent her collegiate career with the Penn State Nittany Lions, amassing three-time All-American nods and four-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree. The 2012 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year was additionally selected as a Mac Hermann Trophy Finalist that same year.
As a freshman, Nairn was tabbed with Big Ten Freshman of the Year and TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Year, while also landing a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Following her success at Penn State, Nairn went seventh overall in the 2013 NWSL draft, beginning her professional career with the Seattle Reign. She spent nine total seasons in the league, undergoing stints with the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride and finishing her career with the Houston Dash.
The midfielder was the first NWSL player to make 150 appearances in her time, with 167 across her entire career. Additionally, in the year of her retirement in 2021, she was one of just seven players to record 20 goals and 20 assists in her time with the league.
Nairn earned her first international call up to the U.S. National Team after her standout rookie season in 2009, and continued to play with the squad until 2016. In 2010, she captained a U-20 team that reached the World Cup Quarterfinals in Germany.
During her youth years, she competed on the U.S. Youth National Teams and made appearances in all six games to secure gold at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
What They're Saying
This upcoming season will mark Nairn's third year coaching collegiate soccer, serving as assistant coach for the Crimson Tide in 2025 and Houston Cougars in 2024.
The Annapolis, Md.-native spent her collegiate career with the Penn State Nittany Lions, amassing three-time All-American nods and four-time All-Big Ten First Team honoree. The 2012 Big Ten Midfielder of the Year was additionally selected as a Mac Hermann Trophy Finalist that same year.
As a freshman, Nairn was tabbed with Big Ten Freshman of the Year and TopDrawerSoccer.com Rookie of the Year, while also landing a spot on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.
Following her success at Penn State, Nairn went seventh overall in the 2013 NWSL draft, beginning her professional career with the Seattle Reign. She spent nine total seasons in the league, undergoing stints with the Washington Spirit, Orlando Pride and finishing her career with the Houston Dash.
The midfielder was the first NWSL player to make 150 appearances in her time, with 167 across her entire career. Additionally, in the year of her retirement in 2021, she was one of just seven players to record 20 goals and 20 assists in her time with the league.
Nairn earned her first international call up to the U.S. National Team after her standout rookie season in 2009, and continued to play with the squad until 2016. In 2010, she captained a U-20 team that reached the World Cup Quarterfinals in Germany.
During her youth years, she competed on the U.S. Youth National Teams and made appearances in all six games to secure gold at the 2008 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup.
What They're Saying
- Head Coach Tony da Luz…
- "We are very happy to announce the addition of Christine to our staff. She brings high level playing experience and midfield insights which will help her in coaching and bringing a unique perspective to our players. I'm so excited to see her positively impact our 2026 team."
- Assistant Coach Christine Nairn…
- "I am very excited to join the Wake Forest women's soccer staff. This program has consistently been at the forefront of women's soccer both in the ACC and national stage. Tony, Brittany, and Taylor are building something special in Winston Salem and I can't wait to be a part of it."
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