The former head coach of Nigeria’s Super Falcons Randy Waldrum, has been selected for the United Soccer Coaches’ 2026 Hall of Fame Class.
The American coach, who led Nigeria’s women’s national team from 2020 to 2024, will join Craig Ewing, Al Miller, and Steve Sampson in this prestigious group, which will be officially inducted at the United Soccer Coaches Convention in Philadelphia in January 2026.
While coaching at the University of Pittsburgh, he took on the role of head coach for the Super Falcons, one of Africa’s top women’s national teams.
Under his leadership, Nigeria advanced to the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, where they were eliminated by England, the eventual runners-up.
He also guided the team through the 2024 Summer Olympics, where they progressed from the group stages.
His first significant challenge came during the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, where Nigeria finished in fourth place.
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Despite this setback, his time with the team was transformative, improving their structure and playing style.
During his tenure, he introduced a new wave of talent, including players like Michelle Alozie, Jennifer Echegini, Esther Okoronkwo, Ifeoma Onumonu, Toni Payne, Deborah Abiodun, Ashleigh Plumptre, and Tosin Demehin.
Notably, these players formed the core of the Super Falcons squad that won the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in July, just months after Waldrum’s departure.
Waldrum’s impact in the United States spans over four decades.
A Texas native, he established the women’s soccer program at Baylor University before achieving significant success at Notre Dame.
At Notre Dame, he won two NCAA Championships and received five Big East Coach of the Year awards, along with four National Coach of the Year honors. His 14 years with the Fighting Irish led to a dynasty that included eight NCAA Final Four appearances.
He also coached Trinidad and Tobago’s women’s national team from 2014 to 2016 and was the inaugural head coach of the Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League.
At the University of Pittsburgh, where he continues to serve as technical director, Waldrum has transformed the Panthers into a national powerhouse, leading them to the NCAA Elite Eight in 2023 and helping 16 players transition to professional careers across North America and Europe.
The United Soccer Coaches praised Waldrum’s career as ‘over four decades of excellence,’ recognizing his contributions to collegiate programs, the development of world-class talent, and the advancement of women’s soccer globally.
