Contract Extension Keeps Hosler at Michigan State through 2030

East Lansing, Mich. -- Michigan State Vice President and Director of Athletics J Batt has announced a contract extension for women's soccer head coach Jeff Hosler that will keep the Spartan mentor at MSU through 2030.

"Michigan State women's soccer has been defined by excellence under Coach Hosler's guidance," notes Batt. "On the field, the team continues to reach new levels of achievement, while individual student-athletes are honored for their athletic and academic efforts. We are building one of the most complete women's soccer programs in the country at Michigan State, and we couldn't be more excited to have Coach Hosler continuing to lead those efforts for many years to come."

Jeff Hosler on the DeMartin Stadium Sideline

Jeff Hosler on the DeMartin Stadium Sideline

"I'm so blessed and grateful for this opportunity provided through the great leadership and support of University president Kevin Guskiewicz, J Batt, and Julee Burgess," said Hosler. "When given the chance to come home to East Lansing five years ago, we set lofty goals and expectations for this program. To have achieved so many incredible milestones in such a rapid time frame is a direct result of the steadfast commitment by our players, coaches, support staff and the Spartan community.

"With a strong foundation set, there is no better time to be a Spartan and in the Big Ten Conference. We will continue growth daily and firmly believe we will reach even greater heights at Michigan State."

Hosler has spent his Michigan State tenure establishing new standards of success for the program, and each season has challenged his players to not only meet but exceed those standards while rewriting program history.

In five years as the MSU mentor, Hosler has guided the Spartans to a 70-20-20 overall record (.727), with success building every season. Whether Big Ten regular-season titles (2022, 2023), back-to-back NCAA Sweet 16's (2023, 2024), or the program's first-ever NCAA Elite Eight appearance (2025), Hosler has positioned the Michigan State program to work for – and achieve – increasing success.

With 20 seasons of head coaching experience at all levels of collegiate soccer, Hosler owns a 303-87-38 career record (.752) which is the second-best career winning percentage of all active NCAA Division I head coaches (with at least five years in Division I).

Hosler has elevated Michigan State to the top of the national conversation: he secured the eighth-best recruiting class for the upcoming 2026 season; guided MSU to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances (including the national quarterfinals in 2025); mentored Spartans to Big Ten Player of the Year honors seven times, landed program-record numbers of All-Americans, All-Conference selections, and academic standouts; and has sent alumni off to play professionally in the United States and abroad.

A total of 23 selections to the All-Big Ten First, Second, or Third teams is highlighted by Conference individual awards for the best players at their positions:   Forward of the Year (Lauren DeBeau, 2022 and Kennedy Bell, 2025), Midfielder of the Year (Justina Gaynor, 2023), Defender of the Year (Ruby Diodati, 2022), Freshman of the Year (Bella Najera, 2023) and Goalkeeper of the Year (Lauren Kozal, 2021 and 2022).   Three Spartans have earned spots on the All-Freshman Team, and Hosler was named the 2022 Big Ten Coach of the Year along with earning United Soccer Coaches All-Region Staff of the Year distinction along with assistant coaches Gabe Romo and Megan Link.

In five seasons, there have been a total of 17 selections to the United Soccer Coaches (USC) All-North Region teams and six have played to All-American honors, including a program-best three in the 2025 campaign.

Hosler, Jeff

Under Hosler, The Missouri Athletic Club has named five Spartans to their annual Hermann Trophy Watch List, with a program-best three earning the honor in 2025 (Bell, Illig, and Najera). Kozal was a semifinalist in 2022, and Justina Gaynor earned a spot on the Watch List in 2024. MSU Hall of Famer Laura Heyboer was the only other player in program history to land on the Hermann watch list, in both 2009 and 2010.

Michigan State has routinely been a top 10 attendance draw in the nation during Hosler's tenure. In tying the program best with 13 home games in 2025, MSU welcomed the fourth-most fans in the country (23,893) to DeMartin Stadium, an average of 1,838 per game – good for eighth among Division I soccer programs. Over the last five seasons, MSU has welcomed more than 105,000 fans to DeMartin.

Michigan State had at least one player selected in the NWSL Draft in the first three seasons of Hosler's tenure at MSU, with Ava Cook (2022) and Celia Gaynor (2024) being drafted by the Chicago Stars and Kozal and Lauren DeBeau going to the Portland Thorns FC in 2023. After the elimination of the NWSL draft in 2025, Justina Gaynor became the fifth player under Hosler to either be drafted or to sign with an NSWL team, inking a contract with the Chicago Stars.

Through the formation of America's second FIFA recognized top designation, a pair of players have also shined in the Gainbridge Super League (USL) - Kaitlyn Parks and Meg Hughes of Sporting Jax. Recent graduate Illig signed in Jacksonville shortly after the Spartan season ended in 2025.

In addition to Spartans playing domestically during Hosler's tenure, Ruby Diodati played three seasons in various leagues abroad, Ranya Senhaji in Morocco, Kozal in Switzerland, and Mackenzie Anthony was the runner-up for the Golden Boot in her first season with Shelbourne FC in Ireland's top division. Remini Tillotson signed with Galway United FC in Ireland in February for her first pro opportunity.

Over five seasons, Spartans have earned a total of 91 Academic All-Big Ten distinctions, including 19 in 2025. Over four years, 45 women's soccer Distinguished Scholar acknowledgments have been earned for a 3.75 GPA or better over the course of the academic year (two semesters).
In addition, a total of 26 Michigan State players have earned Academic All-District distinction, with a limit of six per school per year. Of those, Academic All-America honors have been earned by Diodati (2022), Justina Gaynor (2023, 2024) and Illig (2025).