Dean Duerst recently concluded his fifth season as the Wolverines' associate head coach. Under Duerst's guidance, the U-M defense posted several program bests in 2012, including team records for fewest goals allowed in a season (17) and most shutouts in a season (13).
Duerst also has more than a decade of experience in the Big Ten, as he both played and coached at the University of Wisconsin. He lettered for the Badgers from 1982-83, earning All-Mideast Region honors both years. He later spent 13 seasons as the head women's soccer coach, amassing a 151-105-31 (.580) record from 1994-2006. He is the winningest coach in UW history, surpassing current U-M head coach Greg Ryan.Duerst's run as head coach included eight NCAA playoff appearances, one Big Ten regular-season title and a pair of conference tournament crowns -- including the inaugural trophy.
Duerst played an integral role in the Badgers' success for a total of 20 years before departing to take over the reigns of the U.S. Under-17 Women's National Team for the 2007 season.He lead his squad to a perfect 4-0 international-play record, defeating Germany twice as well as Denmark and England's U-19 teams. The team also posted a 9-1 overall record, allowing just one goal during the entire season to outscore opponents by a 20-goal margin.
Duerst's athletes collected a total of 25 NSCAA All-Region honors in his time with the Badgers, with 12 first-team, eight second-team and five third-team accolades. After capturing his second postseason conference title in 1996, Duerst was tabbed the Big Ten Coach of the Year.
During his time under Ryan, Duerst doubled as the head coach of the U.S. Under-20 Women's National Team, leading the squad to a first-place showing at the Montricoux Tournament (France) in 1993. That same year, Duerst was charged with coaching duties for the North Team for the U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas. His USA resume also includes 10-plus years as the head coach of the Region II Olympic Development Program.
Duerst spent two years playing professional indoor soccer for the Milwaukee Wave and the Ft. Wayne Flames before joining the coaching ranks. He continued his career during his time as an assistant for Wisconsin, playing for and coaching the Madison 56ers, who captured the 1992 U.S. Amateur Soccer Federation National Championship.
A Madison, Wis., native, Duerst graduated from Wisconsin with a B.S. in physical education in 1985. He was inducted in the Madison Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012. He resides in Ann Arbor with his wife, Nancy, and their three children, Jacob, Marley and Reggie.
