Courtney Drummond Joins Texas Soccer Staff After Historic Run at Wake Forest
AUSTIN, Texas - The Texas Longhorns just added a major piece to their coaching staff puzzle. Head coach Margueritte Bates officially announced the hiring of Courtney Drummond as an assistant coach on Thursday, bringing in a rising star with a proven track record of player development, tactical savvy, and success at the highest levels of the college game.
Drummond arrives in Austin fresh off a remarkable four-year run at Wake Forest, where she helped elevate the Demon Deacons to national prominence. Under her watch, Wake Forest closed out the 2023 regular season with a program-best two losses, then followed it up by reaching the College Cup for just the second time in school history. The Deacs didn’t stop there-they punched their ticket to their first-ever national championship game in 2024.
For Bates, the opportunity to bring Drummond on board has been a long time coming.
"I had hoped for years for an opportunity to work on a staff with Courtney," Bates said. "She brings a tactical acuity to the field that is savvy and honed by international experience.
Her passion is individual player development and her commitment to that area is unmatched. Her impact on our student-athletes, staff and program will be immediate and exceedingly positive.
I can't wait to get started with Courtney!"
Drummond’s resume backs that up in a big way. During her time at Wake Forest, the program brought in three nationally ranked recruiting classes, with the last two cracking the top 25. That kind of consistency in talent acquisition speaks volumes about her ability to both identify and develop elite-level players.
On the field, the results followed. Wake Forest players earned 13 All-ACC honors under Drummond’s guidance, highlighted by 2025 ACC Freshman of the Year Kylie Maxwell-who also landed the No. 1 spot in TopDrawerSoccer’s Midseason Freshmen Rankings. That’s not just a nod to talent, but a testament to coaching that maximizes potential from day one.
Drummond also mentored three players who earned All-American honors from United Soccer Coaches, including 2024 MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist Caiya Hanks. That kind of development pipeline doesn’t happen by accident-it’s built on a foundation of tactical understanding, individualized coaching, and a sharp eye for detail.
Perhaps most telling: Wake Forest sent 10 players to the professional ranks during Drummond’s tenure, with athletes landing in the NWSL, Northern Super League, USL Super League, and overseas. That’s the kind of track record that resonates with recruits and sets a clear standard for what’s possible in the program.
Drummond, for her part, is embracing the opportunity with Texas-and the chance to work alongside Bates.
"I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to join the University of Texas," Drummond said. "The power and rich tradition of Texas Athletics are truly inspiring, and I'm thrilled to embrace all that comes with being part of such a renowned program.
Working alongside Margueritte to build on her vision for Texas Soccer is especially exciting. She leads and coaches with intention, consistently pushing her student-athletes and staff to be their best.
A true mastermind of the game, Margueritte creates a highly competitive environment, while empowering her players the freedom to display creativity and preparing them for the professional level. Her demand for excellence is inspiring, and it is an honor and privilege to be a part of Texas soccer."
Drummond’s coaching experience also extends to the international stage. She’s worked within the U.S.
Youth National Team system, serving as an assistant coach across multiple age groups, including the U-15, U-16, U-17, and U-23 levels. That kind of exposure to the game at its highest developmental tiers only strengthens her ability to prepare players for the next level.
Before her rise at Wake Forest, Drummond spent over a decade with City SC Carlsbad, helping shape one of Southern California’s premier youth programs. She also logged time as an assistant coach at Cal State San Marcos, where her impact was immediate and sustained.
During her tenure, the Cougars produced 28 All-Conference players and six All-Americans, winning three conference titles and making four NAIA tournament appearances. She was also instrumental in guiding the program through its transition to NCAA Division II before leaving in 2016 to become the Girls Development Academy Director at LA Galaxy San Diego.
And Drummond’s roots as a player? Just as impressive.
A standout at Cal State San Marcos, she started 72 of 73 career matches, scored a freshman-record seven goals in the program’s inaugural season, and helped lead the Cougars to back-to-back conference championships in 2008 and 2009. She also played in two NAIA National Championships.
Now, she brings that full-circle experience-player, coach, developer, tactician-to a Texas program that’s clearly aiming high. With Drummond joining forces with Bates, the Longhorns are adding not just a coach, but a proven architect of success.
And if her track record is any indication, Texas Soccer just got a whole lot tougher to beat.