After the longest stint as a coach in UT Permian Basin history, Head Men's Soccer Coach Dennis Peterson has hung up the whistle after 22 seasons effective immediately.  Peterson has served as the program's head coach since 2000 and also served as the Women's Soccer head coach from 2004-12.
 
"Family is incredibly important to me, and now I think it's the right time to step away and be with them," said Peterson.  "One of my greatest honors as a coach was being able to coach my sons Cody and Gage for eight of my 22 seasons.  I'm very thankful for the time I got to spend on the pitch working with student-athletes and the opportunity to do so for 22 years."
 
Peterson took the position back in 2000 after becoming close friends with then Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Aicinena after a successful career coaching at the club level.  That included a finals appearance in The Surf Cup in San Diego, a quarterfinals appearance at the largest youth soccer tournament in the world in Minnesota, and a win in a tournament in Denver.  He even got the opportunity to coach two of his sons, Cody and Gage, who combined for seven All-Conference honors in eight seasons as Falcons.
 
"We very much appreciate Dennis' years of service to both UTPB soccer programs," said Director of Athletics Todd Dooley.  "His impact on the athletic department, the University, and especially the lives of our student-athletes, both on and off the field cannot be overstated.  We all wish him the best of luck in retirement."
 
Since the Falcons joined the NCAA beginning in 2007, Peterson led the Falcons to 76 victories.  They caught fire late in 2017, winning a program record nine games en route to their first NCAA postseason appearance while senior Brandon Lee was Heartland Conference Offensive Player of the Year.  In 2014, Peterson coached his first Heartland Offensive Player of the Year in Nathan Cotterell who scored 13 goals. 
 
"Dennis leaves UTPB as the longest-serving coach in our department's history," said former Director of Athletics (1995-2007) Dr. Steve Aicinena.  "There is little more that can be said to effectively summarize his commitment to his teams, athletes, and the University.  I am thankful for the years of service Dennis provided to UTPB and Falcon Athletics. 
 
"For a decade he served as both the head men's and women's soccer coach, few people could imagine, or understand the challenge that presented.  There comes a time in the life and career of any coach where retirement is the best course of action.  I wish nothing but the best for Dennis and his family in retirement."
 
As the women's coach, Peterson was named the 2007 Heartland Conference Coach of the Year and won 32 NCAA games.  Under his watch, Hannah Dozier won Heartland Offensive Player of the Year in 2009 and Marianne Hubnik won Freshman of the Year in 2008.  He is still the program's all-time winningest coach.
 
"I am incredibly happy for Coach Peterson.  He has enjoyed a long, rich career in which he helped countless student-athletes," said former Director of Athletics (2017-20) Scott Farmer.  "Dennis was always quick to help throughout the department.  From driving the bus for other teams, to working the scorer's table at basketball, you could always count on Coach Peterson.  I truly wish him well in retirement."
 
Peterson had his most successful season coaching in 2005, winning the Heartland regular season championship and was named conference Coach of the Year. 
 
Associate Head Coach Victor Domingues will take over the program as interim head coach.  Domingues has been with the program since 2019.
 
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