Princeton head girls soccer coach Ryan Gerfers announced that he will retire from coaching at the end of the school year. Courtesy Ryan Gerfers

By David Wolman

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With family at the forefront of his decision, Princeton head girls soccer coach Ryan Gerfers has announced he will retire from coaching at the end of the school year.

The biggest factor was his son, who is a soccer player and will be entering high school as a freshman later this year.

“It’s time for me to be a dad and just support him,” Gerfers said.

Gerfers has been a part of the Princeton girls soccer program for the past 10 years — the first six as a varsity assistant and the last four as head coach.

During his tenure as head coach, Gerfers led the Lady Panthers to playoff appearances in each of his first two seasons while competing in Class 5A. He then guided the program through its transition to Class 6A, beginning with the 2025 season.

That transition came with challenges. Princeton finished 0-16 in District 6-6A play last season and scored just one goal all year.

However, this season brought significant improvement.

The Lady Panthers earned their first win in two years — a 3-1 victory over Community — and showed marked defensive progress, with only four district opponents scoring more than five goals after eight such occurrences the previous season. Princeton also earned its first point in the district standings since moving to 6-6A with a 0-0 draw against McKinney on Feb. 24.

“The team this year reached goals that we had set early,” Gerfers said. “We wanted to get a result in district play this year, and we were able to do that when we tied McKinney 0-0. We also set a goal to not get mercy-ruled in the majority of our district games, and we successfully reached that goal as well.

“This team knew what they were up against this year, and they faced that challenge head-on. I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.”

Gerfers informed his players of his decision immediately following the Lady Panthers’ March 13 match against McKinney Boyd.

“It was something I wrestled with all year,” he said. “When do I tell them? Do I tell them early on or do I wait? I got advice from former players, and they all said to wait until the season was over.”

As he prepares to step away, Gerfers reflected on what the program has meant to him over the past decade.

“Princeton soccer is something that is always going to be a part of me,” he said. “I’ve poured blood, sweat and tears into this program for the last decade. It’s become part of my DNA.

“My goal over the years wasn’t only to win trophies. For me, it was never just about winning or even about soccer. It was about making a difference in the lives of young people. It was about teaching them lessons they can use later in life, long after high school, to be successful in whatever they do. We just used soccer as the vessel to do it.

“The hundreds of girls who have come into my life over the years will always be a part of me. I cherish each and every moment we had, and I wouldn’t have wanted to do it with anyone else.”