CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – Heather Nelson announced her retirement as Southeast Missouri's Head Women's Soccer Coach Friday. Her final day in the position will be Dec. 31, 2024. 
 
Nelson was the head coach of the SEMO women's soccer program since it began in 1999.
 
"It is with a mix of emotions that I'm announcing my retirement from college soccer today. I'd like to start with a heartfelt thank you to my family for believing in me and always and forever being there for me.
 
"While I will miss all the excitement of college athletics, I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and playing a significant part in ensuring my mother has the care, love and support to live out her best life. As such, I have accepted a new position that will allow me the flexibility to put family first and is a perfect fit for this next chapter of my life," said Nelson. 
 
In 26 years, Nelson accumulated an overall record of 238-177-72 and 115-69-47 in Ohio Valley Conference play. She was a five-time OVC Coach of the Year who led the Redhawks to six OVC regular-season titles, two OVC Tournament crowns and a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances. 
 
"I want to thank Heather for the commitment she has shown to SEMO Women's Soccer. For 26 years, she has poured her heart and soul into the program," said Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Brady Barke. "Throughout her career, the program has experienced significant success on the field and her student-athletes have always excelled in the classroom. Heather has represented us the right way and I appreciate everything she has done for our university. On behalf of everyone here at SEMO, I want to congratulate Heather on a great career and wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement."
 
Nelson coached a total of four OVC Players of the Year, five OVC Defensive Players of the Year, four OVC Freshmen of the Year and 40 First-Team All-OVC selections. She guided the Redhawks to 19 winning seasons during her tenure. Additionally, her teams made the OVC Tournament in 23 of her 26 seasons as head coach.
 
"I am thankful to have been entrusted with the responsibility of starting not one, but two NCAA programs, the first at Florida State in 1995 and SEMO in 1999. To have a career at the Division I level spanning 30 years and the opportunity to coach so many incredible student-athletes has been a dream come true. It has been a professional honor to have represented SEMO and priceless to have had the rare opportunity of coaching all three of my daughters. I look forward to being one of SEMO Soccer's biggest fans and Justi's biggest cheerleader!" said Nelson.
 
Off the field, Nelson's teams were just as impressive. 
 
The Redhawks won five United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Achievement awards and consistently finished as one of the top academic teams in SEMO's Department of Athletics year-in and year-out. 
 
"I'd like to thank President [Carlos] Vargas and SEMO's first lady [Pam Vargas] for their genuine support of everything SEMO," added Nelson. "Thank you to my current coaching staff, Esmie Gonzales and Alex Theobald who have bright futures. All the current and former athletic administrators, coaches and support staff, professors and campus staff that do endless amounts of work. The Herndon Family and Doug Smith & Donna DeMayo for establishing scholarships, and for all the SEMO Athletics supporters."
 
A national search for SEMO's next head women's soccer coach will begin immediately.