Kalamazoo College Athletics

Jill Leibforth began as Kalamazoo College's head women's soccer coach on Jan. 8, 2024.

Leibforth came to Kalamazoo College from Winona State University, where she was head women's soccer coach this past fall. She also served as the Warriors' interim head coach for much of the 2022 fall season. After taking over in 2022, Leibforth guided the Warriors to the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference tournament for the first time since 2018, qualifying with a 3-1 win over Upper Iowa on the final day of the regular season. During her tenure, Leibforth coached three all-conference selections, two players of the week, six honorable mention selections and four NSIC Myles Brand Award honorees.

"I am ecstatic to join the Kalamazoo College community," Leibforth said at the time of her hire. "Kalamazoo College is comprised of driven and passionate faculty, staff and students, which was made clear upon meeting everyone on campus. Kalamazoo is an excellent place to call home with its commitment to diversity, student success and community initiatives. Upon meeting the women's soccer team members, I felt the passion, pride and perseverance of this group and could not be more excited to lead them."

Leiborth was an assistant coach for six seasons at her alma mater, Loras College, before moving to Winona State. During her time at Loras, the Duhawks won four American Rivers Conference championships (2016, 2016, 2018, 2021). The 2021 squad finished 21-1-2 overall (8-0 ARC) and advanced to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Championships. The coaching staff was recognized with four conference Staff of the Year honors during her time on staff, along with United Soccer Coaches North Region Staff of the Year honors in 2021. The Duhawks compiled an overall record of 85-17-14 (41-3-4 ARC) during her six seasons on staff. In addition to coaching, Leiborth was a sport wellness advisor at Loras from 2018 to 2020.

In addition to collegiate coaching, Leibforth was the head girls soccer coach at Wahlert Catholic High School (Iowa) from 2017-22, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2021.

A native of Evergreen Park, Illinois, Leibforth played high school soccer at Mother McAuley High School in Chicago. She played four years at Loras College, graduating with bachelor's degrees in marketing and psychology in 2015. She earned a master's degree in counseling psychology from Loras in 2020 and is working towards a doctorate of education in sport & performance psychology.