Nick Kirchhof

Nick Kirchhof is one of the most accomplished collegiate soccer minds in the Rocky Mountain region, bringing championship experience, elite player‑development expertise, and a relentless competitive edge to MSU Denver. A national champion as a player and a two‑time national champion as an assistant coach at Stanford, he has built a reputation as a dynamic leader who thrives in high‑performance environments and consistently elevates the athletes he mentors. With deep roots in Colorado soccer and a track record of success at every level of the game, Kirchhof continues to shape the next generation of Roadrunners with vision, excellence, and passion.

Kirchhof was named head coach of the MSU Denver men’s soccer program on December 28, 2020, and immediately set out to restore the Roadrunners to their traditional place among the top contenders in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC). His impact has been clear across four consecutive seasons of growth. In 2023, MSU Denver posted a 7‑8‑4 record and a strong 5‑3‑2 RMAC mark, finishing sixth in the league and earning results that included the program’s best conference winning percentage since 2019. Under his leadership, the Roadrunners set a new single‑season program record with 51.3% of shots on target, and multiple players earned All‑RMAC and All‑Region honors.

In 2022, the Roadrunners reached the 10‑win plateau for just the second time since 2016, finishing 10‑6‑2 overall. In 2021, Kirchhof led MSU Denver to an RMAC Tournament berth for the first time since 2018, closing the season with a 4‑0‑1 unbeaten streak. His ability to maximize talent, establish clear standards, and develop competitive team culture has been instrumental in the program’s rise.

Before taking the helm at MSU Denver, Kirchhof spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Stanford, where he helped guide one of the most dominant eras in modern college soccer. The Cardinal captured back‑to‑back national championships in 2015 and 2016, three straight PAC‑12 titles, and appeared in four NCAA tournaments. During the 2016 championship run, Stanford did not concede a single goal in the NCAA Tournament. Kirchhof contributed to the development of elite collegiate and professional talent, including All-Americans, MLS SuperDraft picks, Homegrown signings, MLS Rookie of the Year winners, an MLS Cup champion, and players who earned caps with the U.S. Men’s National Team.

As a collegiate player at Fort Lewis College, Kirchhof was part of one of the most successful Division II programs of the era. He appeared in two national championship games, winning the 2005 title and finishing national runner‑up in 2006. He was named RMAC Tournament MVP, earned multiple All‑RMAC academic honors, and was recognized as the 2008 Fort Lewis Dr. Troy Bledsoe Male Scholar‑Athlete of the Year.

His early coaching stops included serving as director of men’s soccer operations at the University of Denver and three seasons as an assistant at Colorado Mesa, adding valuable RMAC experience and recruiting knowledge to his coaching foundation. Kirchhof holds a United Soccer Coaches Premier License, further demonstrating his commitment to coaching mastery.

A native of Aurora, Colorado, and a graduate of Grandview High School, Kirchhof earned his bachelor’s degree from Fort Lewis and a master’s degree in sport management from California (Pa.). He now lives in Denver with his wife, two daughters, and their dog, continuing to serve as an influential leader in the Colorado soccer community.

With national championship pedigree, elite coaching experience, and a proven ability to grow successful programs, Coach Kirchhof sets the standard for excellence at MSU Denver, and inspires every Roadrunner who steps onto the pitch.