Courtney Sebazco returns to SMU as assistant coach

[PonyPride]

From SMUMustangs.com:

Sebazco, Woodbury Join Women’s Soccer Coaching Staff

DALLAS (SMU) – SMU Women's Soccer Head Coach Nicole Nelson announced the hiring of former Mustang Courtney Sebazco as an assistant coach and Paula Woodbury as director of operations on Friday.

"We are very excited to bring Courtney back to the Hilltop as a coach and welcome Paula," Nelson said. "These additional positions have allowed us to add significant value to the coaching and support staff. We believe this is now a comprehensive staff that will positively impact the support and development of our players."

In addition to the new staff hires, assistant coach Miles Vaughn, who joined the staff in January, was promoted to director of player development.

The Mustangs begin their 2024 campaign by welcoming Northwestern State to Washburne Stadium on Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. CT. The match is the first of a nine-game home stand.

Assistant Coach Courtney Sebazco
Courtney Sebazco returns to her alma mater to begin her collegiate coaching career.

Prior to her return to the Hilltop, Sebazco competed internationally in the UEFA Women's Champions League and Cyprus First Division. In addition to impacting the game on the pitch, she represented the Apollon Ladies at the UEFA Women's Conference, presenting ways to continue to grow the women's game.

During her initial time at SMU, she assisted in planning and organizing both group and individual soccer sessions at numerous high school and college soccer camps.

The Fort Worth native is one of the most decorated Mustangs in program history. She was a Hermann Trophy Watch List, AAC Midfielder of the Year, two-time All-AAC First Team, AAC All-Tournament, and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree.

She also earned AAC Rookie of the Year, All-AAC Second Team, and All-Rookie Team honors during her first season as a Mustang.

In 2021, she led SMU to a 12-5-2 record and the program's 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament as her Mustangs advanced to the second round after defeating Texas.

She also made the AAC All-Academic Team four times during her career as well as earning SMU's Presidential Award of Excellence in 2023.

Director of Operations Paula Woodbury
Paula Woodbury enters her first season as director of operations in 2024.

Woodbury officially joins the Nelson staff after spending multiple summers assisting with the SMU Girls Soccer Summer Camps and will also handle director of camp duties in addition to operations responsibilities.

Prior to coming to the Hilltop, she served in multiple campus recruiting roles locally and nationally while at Ernst & Young, including recruiting for audit and tax, financial services and actuarial services.

Woodbury received her bachelor's and master's degrees from Baylor University. She began her career as a College Admission Counselor for Baylor University. After completing her master's, she moved to Dallas and began working for Ernst & Young in campus recruiting.

[ClassOf81]

If she's half as good a coach as she was a player, she's a hell of an addition.