Kerri Hanks Petersen Named Gator Soccer Assistant Coach
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Kerri Hanks Petersen, widely regarded as one of the most accomplished players in NCAA soccer history, has joined the University of Florida as an Assistant Coach, announced Gators Head Soccer Coach Nick Zimmerman on Tuesday.
They Said:
“I’m incredibly excited to continue my time at Florida and to work with such an outstanding group of players. The opportunity to work with Coach Nick again, and now alongside Coach Jon, means a great deal to me. I’ve already learned so much, and I’m energized by the chance to keep growing as a coach while helping push this program forward. I’m fired up about the future of this team and this program, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Kerri Hanks Petersen, University of Florida Director of Scouting & Player Development
“We are thrilled to have Coach Kerri elevated to an assistant coach role. Her passion for the game and ability to help develop players is the standard here at the University of Florida. Coach Kerri is one of the most decorated college players, having won the Hermann trophy twice. We can’t wait to get to work.”
Nick Zimmerman, University of Florida Head Soccer Coach
Coaching Career:
Hanks Petersen join the Gators staff in spring of 2025 as director of scouting & player development where she utilized advanced video analysis software and tools to help Gators player development, scout opponents and develop game and training strategies.
Prior to joining the Gators, Hanks Petersen spent three seasons with the Gainesville Soccer Alliance, serving as the program’s director of coaching.
Hanks Petersen started her coaching career as a Texas Christian assistant for the 2010 – 2012 seasons. She also coached with national recognized Dallas Sting Soccer Club.
Hanks Peterson served as the United Soccer Alliance in Clay County Girls Recruiting Coordinator and head coach, which competed in the Girls Academy League. She was on the Olympic Development Program Region III staff in 2012 and rejoined in 2022.
She was Gainesville’s Buchholz High School girls program head coach from 2015-2018, with the team claiming the District 1-5A title and advancing to the regional final in her final season as head coach.
She owns USSF C, D and E licenses and an NSCAA National diploma.
As a Player:
During her career with Notre Dame, Hanks Petersen twice earned the Hermann Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate player. Winning the honor in 2006 and again in 2008, Hanks Petersen is one of seven to repeat in the award’s 37-season history. Notre Dame reached the NCAA College Cup championship match in both years she won the Hermann Trophy with Hanks Petersen being named to the College Cup All-Tournament team both times.
An All-American all four years, Hanks Petersen left Notre Dame holding or sharing more than 60 Irish records. She still tops the Irish’s career goals (84) and points (241) list.
The sixth selection in the 2009 Women’s Professional draft by the Saint Louis Athletica, she was traded to Sky Blue FC midway through that season. She helped Sky Blue win the 2009 WPS Championship.
Hanks Petersen, once a player with various U.S. youth national teams, served as a coach for the US Youth Soccer ODP U17 team on their April 2024 trip to Costa Rica. She played with the U.S. Women’s National U19, U21 and U23 teams. A two-time competitor at FIFA U19 World Cup, Hanks Petersen was part of the U.S.’s 2002 (gold) and 2004 (bronze) teams. Hanks Petersen was part of the U.S. U23 team that won the 2008 Nordic Cup.
Education:
Notre Dame University: Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (2008)
Personal:
Married Nic Petersen in 2012, who is Associate Head Coach – Jumps for Florida’s Track & Field program.
The Petersens have two sons, Greyson and Cole.
They Said:
“I’m incredibly excited to continue my time at Florida and to work with such an outstanding group of players. The opportunity to work with Coach Nick again, and now alongside Coach Jon, means a great deal to me. I’ve already learned so much, and I’m energized by the chance to keep growing as a coach while helping push this program forward. I’m fired up about the future of this team and this program, and I can’t wait to get to work.”
Kerri Hanks Petersen, University of Florida Director of Scouting & Player Development
“We are thrilled to have Coach Kerri elevated to an assistant coach role. Her passion for the game and ability to help develop players is the standard here at the University of Florida. Coach Kerri is one of the most decorated college players, having won the Hermann trophy twice. We can’t wait to get to work.”
Nick Zimmerman, University of Florida Head Soccer Coach
Coaching Career:
Hanks Petersen join the Gators staff in spring of 2025 as director of scouting & player development where she utilized advanced video analysis software and tools to help Gators player development, scout opponents and develop game and training strategies.
Prior to joining the Gators, Hanks Petersen spent three seasons with the Gainesville Soccer Alliance, serving as the program’s director of coaching.
Hanks Petersen started her coaching career as a Texas Christian assistant for the 2010 – 2012 seasons. She also coached with national recognized Dallas Sting Soccer Club.
Hanks Peterson served as the United Soccer Alliance in Clay County Girls Recruiting Coordinator and head coach, which competed in the Girls Academy League. She was on the Olympic Development Program Region III staff in 2012 and rejoined in 2022.
She was Gainesville’s Buchholz High School girls program head coach from 2015-2018, with the team claiming the District 1-5A title and advancing to the regional final in her final season as head coach.
She owns USSF C, D and E licenses and an NSCAA National diploma.
As a Player:
During her career with Notre Dame, Hanks Petersen twice earned the Hermann Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate player. Winning the honor in 2006 and again in 2008, Hanks Petersen is one of seven to repeat in the award’s 37-season history. Notre Dame reached the NCAA College Cup championship match in both years she won the Hermann Trophy with Hanks Petersen being named to the College Cup All-Tournament team both times.
An All-American all four years, Hanks Petersen left Notre Dame holding or sharing more than 60 Irish records. She still tops the Irish’s career goals (84) and points (241) list.
The sixth selection in the 2009 Women’s Professional draft by the Saint Louis Athletica, she was traded to Sky Blue FC midway through that season. She helped Sky Blue win the 2009 WPS Championship.
Hanks Petersen, once a player with various U.S. youth national teams, served as a coach for the US Youth Soccer ODP U17 team on their April 2024 trip to Costa Rica. She played with the U.S. Women’s National U19, U21 and U23 teams. A two-time competitor at FIFA U19 World Cup, Hanks Petersen was part of the U.S.’s 2002 (gold) and 2004 (bronze) teams. Hanks Petersen was part of the U.S. U23 team that won the 2008 Nordic Cup.
Education:
Notre Dame University: Bachelor’s degree in Sociology (2008)
Personal:
Married Nic Petersen in 2012, who is Associate Head Coach – Jumps for Florida’s Track & Field program.
The Petersens have two sons, Greyson and Cole.
| Kerri Hanks Petersen File |
| Birthdate: |
| ● September 2, 1985 in Plano, Texas |
| Collegiate Career |
| ● University of Notre Dame (2005-08) |
| ● 2006 & 2008 Hermann Trophy winner |
| ● 2008 Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award |
| Playing Career |
| Member of U.S. U-19 FIFA U-19 World Cup teams in 2002 (gold) and 2004 (third) |
| 30 appearances with U.S. U-20 national team (22 goals) |
| Member of U.S. U-23 gold-medal team at 2008 Nordic Cup |
| Sixth overall pick in 2009 Women’s Professional Soccer draft by Saint Louis Athletica |
| Traded to Sky Blue FC in June 2009. Helped team win 2009 WPS Championship |
| Coaching Career |
| ● Texas Christian Assistant Coach (2010-12) |
| ● United Soccer Alliance in Clay County Head Coach (GA) |
| ● Gainesville’s Buchholz High School Head Coach (2015 – 2018) |
| ● Gainesville Soccer Alliance coach (2022 – 2025) |
| ● Florida Director of Scouting & Player Development (Feb. – Dec. 2025) |
| ● Florida Assistant Coach (Dec. 2025 – present) |
| Education |
| ● Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology from Notre Dame (2008) |
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