Hawkeyes Add Altman as Assistant Coach

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Kelly Altman has been named an assistant coach with the University of Iowa women’s soccer team, it was announced Friday by head coach Dean Ward. Altman most recently served as an assistant coach at Florida after spending two seasons as the team’s scouting and player development analyst.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Iowa and the Women’s Soccer program,” said Altman. “Coach Ward’s vision and ambition for the future of Iowa Soccer made this an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I fully recognize the responsibility that comes with this position, and with 19 years in the profession, I am confident in my ability to uphold the high standards and relentless pursuit of excellence that define Hawkeye Soccer. My wife and I are excited to be a part of the Hawkeye family and look forward to working alongside such a dedicated group of student-athletes, coaches, and staff.”

Altman completed his 19th season in coaching following the 2025 campaign, working at multiple levels, including NCAA Division I and III, high school and club soccer. Across coaching stints at Florida, Dayton, New Mexico, Valparaiso, High Point and Trinity, he has compiled a combined record of 190-79-50. He has helped his teams earn 16 Team Academic All-America awards, recruited three top 25 classes, coached 170 All-Americans and mentored 36 professional players.

“Kelly is a great addition to our staff, bringing a variety of high-level experiences to Iowa,” said Ward. “His ability to evaluate, analyze and teach the game will be invaluable, and I am excited to have him join the staff.”

Prior to his stint in Gainesville, Altman served as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Dayton (2020–23) and New Mexico (2017–19). He was an assistant men’s coach at Valparaiso from 2013–17 and at High Point during the 2013 season.

Altman also served as the head varsity coach at Central Catholic (Texas) High School from 2012–17 and as an assistant men’s soccer coach at Trinity from 2006–12. He began his high school head coaching career at Incarnate Word (Texas) High School, leading the girls’ varsity program from 2005–07. As a high school coach, Altman captured two Texas state titles (2008, 2009) and four district championships at Central Catholic. He was named the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools (TAPPS) 5A Coach of the Year across all sports in 2009.

As a player, Altman was a four-year letterwinner as a defender at Trinity University, playing a key role as a junior in the Tigers’ 2003 NCAA National Championship season. He served as team captain as a senior and finished his collegiate career with a 79-5-2 record. Trinity set an all-divisions record with 43 consecutive victories, a mark that still stands.

After a professional stint with the Charleston Battery, Altman returned to Trinity in 2005 to use his final year of eligibility as a kicker for the football team. He earned All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) and first-team All-South Region honors and was named the 2005 SCAC Special Teams Player of the Year. He was later inducted into the Trinity University Athletics Hall of Fame for soccer in 2013.

Altman comes from a strong soccer background. His father, Alan, played at Occidental College in the 1970s, his older brother, Ryan, played at Creighton from 1999–2002, and his younger brother, Kyle, played at Trinity from 2004–07, earning All-America honors before going on to captain Minnesota United for five seasons.

Altman earned his bachelor’s degree in communications from Trinity in 2005 and a master’s degree in sports communications from Valparaiso in 2017. He holds coaching licenses from both the U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) and United Soccer Coaches (formerly NSCAA).