Former Florida coach Becky Burleigh hasn’t hung up her whistle for the last time yet. She retired after the Gators women’s soccer team finished their 2021 campaign, but the Orlando Pride appointed Burleigh as the interim head coach Sunday. She takes over for former coach Marc Skinner who left to lead the Manchester United women’s team.
“I’m excited to become a member of the Orlando Pride franchise,” Burleigh said, according to a release. “My hope is to create a seamless transition plan to build on the growth and strides that Marc and the team have made so far this season. Change, despite being difficult, always brings an opportunity for growth. I’m eager to work in partnership with the existing staff and players to make that happen.”
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She was the first coach in Gators women’s soccer history and roamed the sidelines at Florida for the last 26 years where she recorded a 513-160-46 career record, including a national championship in 1998.
Burleigh has also coached some of the biggest names in women’s soccer like Abby Wambach and Heather Mitts and current Pride players Erika Tymrak and Meggie Dougherty Howard.
She will join the team for training this week before the Pride’s matchup Saturday versus the North Carolina Courage.
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