ROCKFORD, Ill. -- Rockford University athletic director Jess Stanek has announced the hire of Rick Mateus as the next head coach of the Regents' women's soccer program. Mateus brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience to the women's soccer program. 

"I'm excited to have Rick Mateus join our staff, Stanek said, He brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, and his name is well-known in the soccer world within Rockford and the surrounding area, all of which will hopefully allow him to rebuild and re-establish a quality women's soccer program.  Rick has done a great job at the local club and high school levels, and I am eager to watch him take the next step at the collegiate level."

Mateus is a 1995 graduate of Benedictine University, where he played four years of collegiate soccer and earned his degree in Education with a concentration in Physical Education. He joins Rockford following an 18-year tenure as a paraeducator at the Harlem School District. In addition to his educational career, Mateus boasts a distinguished coaching résumé, including 29 years leading the Rockford Raptors. He also spent 13 years as head coach of the Belvidere North High School boys soccer team, capturing three Regional Championships in 2014, 2023, and 2024. In the spring, he led Belvidere North's girls soccer team for two seasons, winning both the Regional and Sectional Championships in 2024. Mateus has been recognized for his coaching excellence throughout his career, earning NIC-10 Coach of the Year honors in 2022 and 2024 and Sectional Coach of the Year in 2023. His combination of experience, leadership, and championship success makes him a strong addition to the Regents' program.

"I want to thank Rockford AD Jess Stanek and everyone involved in hiring me at RU. I am really looking forward to getting the chance to coach and get student athletes at RU who want to make a change in the program"