Chambana Sun

Fighting Illini soccer head coach Katie Hultin has announced the appointment of Marisa Kanela as the new associate head coach. Hultin expressed enthusiasm about Kanela joining the team, stating, "I am beyond excited to welcome Marisa to the family. She is a proven competitor with an incredible passion for developing student-athletes both on and off the field."

Kanela's previous role was as the Girls Academy Director at Beadling Soccer Club in Pittsburgh. A native of Wantagh, N.Y., she played for West Virginia from 2002 to 2005 and spent 14 seasons on their coaching staff, including five years as associate head coach.

"I am grateful to Katie [Hultin] for this opportunity," Kanela said. "From the moment I stepped on campus, it was clear that the values, culture and commitment to helping student-athletes reach their full potential are at the heart of everything we do here."

During her tenure at West Virginia, Kanela contributed to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and several championships. She also helped develop numerous players who achieved success at professional levels and international competitions.

Kanela began her coaching career in 2007 as a volunteer assistant under Nikki Izzo-Brown. She progressed through various roles before becoming associate head coach in 2017. Her responsibilities included overseeing academic programs, scouting, compliance, camps, clinics, and community service efforts.

In addition to her extensive coaching experience, Kanela holds several coaching licenses and has been a member of United Soccer Coaches since 2007.

Kanela's playing career was marked by significant achievements including being named an NSCAA Scholar All-American and leading her team in scoring during her junior and senior years.