Utah Valley University women's soccer head coach
Chris Lemay has announced the hiring of Nuno Gourgel as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Wolverines. He joined the staff in the Spring of 2025.
"We are very excited to add Nuno to our coaching staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator," said Lemay. "Nuno has a wonderful network in Utah and across the country. He has experience as a head coach at the junior college level as well as Power 4 experience in Division I. Nuno's work ethic, soccer IQ, and desire to win along with his ability to connect with his players made it apparent that he is a great fit."
Gourgel brings extensive experience across all levels of collegiate soccer. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at the University of Utah, where he played an integral role in the program's success over three and a half years. During his tenure, he helped the Utes achieve a program-best 4-2-5 road record in 2022, highlighted by an eight-match unbeaten streak—the longest in program history. His time at Utah also included the team's first-ever Big XII Tournament appearance.
Prior to his time at Utah, Gourgel was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Robert Morris University, where he helped guide the Colonials to their first winning season in over two decades and back-to-back conference playoff appearances. In that role, he focused on domestic and international recruiting, daily practices, and game-day operations, as well as player development.
This will be Gourgel's second stint at UVU, where he served as the director of operations for the men's soccer program in 2021. In that role, he managed logistics, coordinated camps and clinics, and served as the primary liaison for external communications.
Gourgel's career also includes a highly successful run as the head coach of both the men's and women's soccer programs at Snow College. Over four years, he built both programs from the ground up, guiding the women's team to a 59-7-11 record, three Scenic West Athletic Conference titles, and three Coach of the Year honors.
A native of Portugal who grew up in London, Gourgel played for the academies of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Leyton Orient FC before playing collegiately at Ashford University. He holds an MBA with a focus on sports business from Saint Leo University, as well as bachelor's degrees in business administration and sports and recreation management from Ashford.
Gourgel's Statement
"First, I want to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude to Hideki Nakada, the University of Utah staff, and most importantly, the incredible student-athletes I had the privilege of working with over the past three and a half years. My time at the University of Utah has been an unforgettable journey, filled with meaningful relationships, amazing memories, and countless lessons that have shaped me both personally and professionally. I will forever be grateful for those experiences.
I am excited to be joining the Utah Valley University Women's Soccer program, one that I have long admired. Chris has built something truly special at UVU—a culture of excellence and a nationally recognized program that continues to set high standards. This is a tremendous opportunity for me to grow as a coach, and I'm eager to contribute to the vision and success of this program.
I am also thrilled to work with the talented group of student-athletes that Chris and his staff have assembled. The future here is incredibly bright, and I am honored to be a part of it. I want to thank
Chris Lemay for this great opportunity and for allowing me to become a part of the Utah Valley University Women's Soccer program."
Additional Quotes
Hideki Nakada, University of Utah Head Coach:
"I am really excited for Nuno to take the next step in his coaching career. He is an industrious coach, and his passion along with his knowledge for the game will positively influence their student-athletes at Utah Valley."
Alan Berrios, Northern Arizona University Head Coach:
"Utah Valley made a great decision in hiring Nuno. He is a relentless recruiter with a deep understanding of what it takes to compete at the Division I level. His ability to develop players and build successful programs will be a valuable asset to the UVU program, and I look forward to seeing the impact he makes in this next chapter."
Chris Shaw, Temple University Head Coach and former Robert Morris Head Coach:
"This is a great hire for Utah Valley. As someone that had the pleasure of working alongside Nuno, I know firsthand that UVU is getting a tireless recruiter and a great coach. Nuno will be a fantastic addition to the UVU athletic department and more specifically to the women's soccer program."
