Nicole Borowinski was named the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at Whittier College in August 2026, bringing more than a decade of collegiate, club, and high school coaching experience to the Poets.
Borowinski joins Whittier after spending six seasons at Newberry College. She joined the Wolves’ coaching staff in June 2020 and was promoted to Associate Head Coach in August 2025 after previously serving as Assistant Head Coach. At Newberry, Borowinski was involved in all aspects of the women’s soccer program, including practice planning, recruiting, compliance, player development, and overall program operations.
During her time at Newberry, Borowinski helped guide the Wolves to back-to-back conference tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022. The program also earned a notable victory over nationally ranked No. 10 Lenoir-Rhyne in 2021.
“We had a deep and very impressive field of candidates for this position, and Nicole quickly distinguished herself throughout the process,” said Whittier College Director of Athletics Rock Carter. “Her experience working with student-athletes, her commitment to their overall development, and her success as a coach at both the collegiate and club levels made her an outstanding fit for Whittier College.”
Prior to Newberry, Borowinski spent five years coaching with the Del Mar Carmel Valley Sharks from 2015–20, where she led teams to multiple tournament and league championships. From 2016–20, the Sharks were two-time SDDA finalists, two-time CRL Play-In finalists, and four-time SCDSL finalists. Borowinski coached several age groups while training and mentoring competitive and recreational youth players year-round.
Before joining the Sharks, Borowinski coached four seasons with the San Diego Football Academy, working with the U12 and U14 girls teams as well as the U8 boys team. She led the U12 squad to a CSL Cup Championship in 2015. During that time, she also served as the Junior Varsity Head Coach at Poway High School, where she focused on player development, technical skills, and the fundamentals of the game.
Borowinski previously coached at Patrick Henry High School and with Crusader Soccer Club from 2011–12. She began her coaching career at Grossmont College, serving as a volunteer assistant coach during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Before entering the coaching ranks, Borowinski competed collegiately at Kansas Wesleyan University, where she helped lead the Coyotes to a Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Championship, KCAC Tournament Championship, and an NAIA National Championship appearance, advancing to the Round of 16.
Prior to Kansas Wesleyan, Borowinski spent the 2008 season at Columbus State University as a redshirt. She began her collegiate playing career at Grossmont College in San Diego, helping the Griffins capture two Pacific Coast Conference Championships.
Borowinski earned her bachelor’s degree in Physical Education with a minor in Nutrition from Kansas Wesleyan University and completed her master’s degree in Organization Development and Leadership from Newberry College in 2023.
“Nicole understands that coaching is about much more than what happens on the soccer field,” Carter said. “She has a strong student-athlete focus and understands the importance of helping young women grow academically, athletically and personally. We are excited about the energy, experience and leadership she will bring to our program. Nicole brings a tremendous passion for the game and, just as importantly, a genuine commitment to her student-athletes,” Carter added. “We believe she is the right person to lead Whittier Women’s Soccer into the future, and I am excited to see what she and our student-athletes accomplish together.” (Rock Carter)
