Familiar face selected to direct state champion Oregon girls soccer program (2024)

The Oregon girls soccer team won the WIAA Division 2 state championship in June and gave Bobby Nichols a rousing send-off prior to his stepping down as the Panthers’ coach.

Oregon has named a new girls soccer coach — an individual who’s extremely familiar with the soccer programs at the school.

Oregon boys soccer coach Chris Mitchell was selected as girls soccer coach, Panthers athletic director Brittany Spencer Grant said.

“With an impressive coaching resume and commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field, coach Mitchell is well-positioned to lead our program on a continued path of success,” Spencer Grant wrote in announcing the hiring. “He is already familiar to many of our student-athletes and families as a science teacher at Oregon Middle School and head coach of our boys soccer program.

“Coach Mitchell brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of excellence to our girls soccer program.”

Boys soccer teams play a WIAA schedule in the fall and girls soccer in the spring.

The Oregon girls won the Division 2 state championship last spring, defeating Whitefish Bay 1-0 on Addison Werth’s unassisted goal in the final at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.

Nichols, who led Oregon to two state titles and a runner-up finish in the past three seasons, left due to a family move to Missouri. Nichols compiled a 76-4-4 record. He was hired in 2019, but the 2020 season wasn’t played due to the COVID pandemic.

Mitchell now steps in. He has a 92-22-18 record in seven years for the Oregon boys team. He has led the program to three of its five state titles. The Panthers won those three titles under his direction in the past six seasons (2018, 2021 and 2023).

His coaching career, spanning 21 years as an assistant and head coach, includes stints at The Blake School in Minnesota, Sun Prairie High School and at Oregon.

Spencer Grant said Mitchell “has consistently helped programs elevate to the next level,” adding:

“Despite coach Mitchell’s long resume of on-field successes, coaching accolades and team titles, he is most recognized for his process and whole person-based approach to coaching student-athletes. He is dedicated to creating a supportive environment where student-athletes can thrive in all aspects of their lives.

“His thoughtful coaching philosophy centers around fostering a positive, inclusive team culture that emphasizes teamwork, sportsmanship and personal character growth. Coach Mitchell does these things while working hard to maintain a focus on whole programs and making strong positive connections in the community. He is looking forward to taking advantage of opportunities to bring the boys and girls programs closer together.”

Spencer Grantsaid she is looking forward to seeing “the continued success and growth of our girls soccer program under his leadership.”

Oregon will move up to Division 1 in girls soccer in 2025.

Mitchell’s daughter Celia was a freshman midfielder on Oregon’s 2024 team.

Oregon looks for boys hockey coach

Spencer Grant is seeking a boys hockey coach after Larry Clemens stepped down to spend more time with his family and his children’s youth teams, she said.

Oregon reached a Division 2 sectional final last winter, falling to eventual state champion Fond du Lac St. Mary’s Springs 3-2.

Oregon advanced to the state tournament in 2023, defeating Mosinee 3-0 in a semifinal before falling to New Richmond 5-1 in the title game.

The Oregon boys hockey team will be in Division 1 in the 2024-25 season.