UT-Arlington has made a significant move by announcing the appointment of Melinda Nguyen as the first-ever coach of its women”s flag football program. This decision marks a historic milestone for the university as it prepares for its inaugural season in this sport.
Nguyen brings extensive experience to the role, having previously served as the offensive coordinator for the Philippines National Team. Her impressive track record includes three seasons as head coach at Kansas Wesleyan, where she led her teams to a remarkable record of 49 wins and 17 losses, including an outstanding 27-5 against Kansas Conference rivals. Under her leadership, Kansas Wesleyan reached the NAIA Flag Football Finals each year.
In a statement announcing her hiring, UTA athletic director Jon Fagg emphasized the university”s commitment to women”s flag football, stating, “We”re not tiptoeing into women”s flag football — we”re sprinting.” UTA President Jennifer Cowley echoed this sentiment, highlighting the significance of this initiative for both the university and Division I sports in Texas, saying, “Hiring our first coach starts a new era not just for UTA, but for Division I sports in Texas — and we intend to set the standard. Melinda is smart, competitive, and ready to build something special here.”
Nguyen expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I”m extremely excited for this role. This is an opportunity to make history in a sport that I”m very passionate about. UTA was the right fit for me because our visions aligned. Everything I had dreamed of as a child is now becoming reality and UTA was able to share that reality with me.”
The addition of women”s flag football as a varsity sport at UT-Arlington was officially announced in May, positioning the university as the first Division I institution in Texas to establish such a program. Nguyen and her team, the Mavericks, are set to begin competition in Spring 2027, with games scheduled to be played at Maverick Stadium. According to the release, recruitment efforts for Nguyen”s first roster are already in progress.
For further updates on college sports, readers are encouraged to check coverage from The Dallas Morning News.
