Michele Dalton

Biography

Michele Dalton joined the Wisconsin women’s soccer staff as an assistant coach in June 2025. Head coach Paula Wilkins announced the hire, noting Dalton’s long-standing connection to the program and the impact she made as one of the early players who helped establish Wisconsin’s modern team culture. Wilkins highlighted Dalton’s international and NWSL playing experience as an asset that brings valuable perspective to the development of the Badgers’ athletes. Dalton arrived in Madison following a standout 2024 season at Utah State, where she helped guide the Aggies to 18 wins, a conference title, and the program’s first NCAA Tournament home match. She played a significant role in developing goalkeeper Cora Brendle, the Mountain West Newcomer of the Year, and defender Kaitlyn Richins, the program’s first All-American. Her coaching background also includes time at Kentucky, Western Kentucky, and DePaul, consistently producing strong defensive units and high-performing goalkeepers. A four-year letterwinner for the Badgers from 2007–11, Dalton was named Big Ten Goalkeeper of the Year in 2011 and earned First Team All-Big Ten and NSCAA All-Region honors. She was a two-time team MVP and still ranks among Wisconsin’s career leaders in saves per game and shutouts. After her collegiate career, she played professionally in the NWSL and internationally, with stops in Iceland, Sweden, Cyprus, and with the Chicago Red Stars. In her first season on staff at Wisconsin in 2025, Dalton helped gu